Full Breakdown
The Ongoing Quest for Noah’s Ark on Mount Ararat
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Recent Permit, Excavation, and Threats
Andrew Jones, founder of the nonprofit Noah’s Ark Scans, secured a Turkish-government permit earlier this year to begin a radar-guided dig on Mount Ararat. Within weeks of announcing the permit, Jones reported a break-in at his apartment and repeated nighttime threats in English, including explicit statements of intent to kill. He and his team have relocated to a friend’s house, but say the expedition will continue.
Background & Context: Decades of Ark-Hunting on Ararat
The modern search dates back to the mid-20th century. In 1955 French industrialist Fernand Navarra claimed a five-foot timber fragment from the mountain; carbon-dating placed the wood at 1,200–1,700 years old, far younger than the biblical timeline. In 1959 Turkish army captain Ilhan Durupinar identified a 538-foot boat-shaped formation on aerial photos; a 1960 expedition concluded it was a natural anomaly, though Turkish tourism later promoted it as “Nuhun Gemisi.”
American astronaut James Irwin made three attempts in the early 1980s, ultimately discovering the “wood” to be abandoned skis.
In 2014, British Museum scholar Irving Finkel deciphered a 4,000-year-old Babylonian tablet describing a flood narrative with a “two-by-two” animal boarding protocol, highlighting the story’s ancient cultural roots.
Key Figures & Groups
- Andrew Jones – founder of Noah’s Ark Scans, leading the current radar excavation.
- James Irwin – former NASA astronaut, early 1980s Ark-searcher.
- Fernand Navarra – claimed a timber fragment in 1955.
- Ilhan Durupinar – identified the Durupinar formation in 1959.
- Rebecca Hunter-Kelm – Christian author near the site.
- Professor Jodi Magness – archaeologist, University of North Carolina.
Timeline
- 1955 – Navarra’s timber fragment.
- 1959 – Durupinar photographs formation.
- 1960 – Expedition deems formation natural.
- 1982-84 – Irwin’s three expeditions, ending with skis.
- 2014 – Finkel’s tablet decipherment.
- Early 2024 – Jones obtains permit and begins radar survey.
- Mid-2024 – Jones experiences burglary and threats.
Data & Statistics
- Navarra’s timber dated to 1,200–1,700 years, inconsistent with the biblical flood chronology of roughly 4,300 years ago.
- The Durupinar formation measures 538 feet and shows straight lines and right-angle intersections at multiple depths, according to radar scans cited by Noah’s Ark Scans.
Official Statements & Responses
Jones said the permit required collaboration with a Turkish university and a local professor, noting the “curses in English” he received. Turkish officials have not commented on the threats; the university partner faces accusations of “treason” from nationalist groups, reflecting political sensitivities around foreign-led excavations.
Criticism & Opposition
Archaeologists warn the search blurs scientific inquiry with treasure hunting. Professor Jodi Magness argues legitimate archaeology focuses on cultural understanding rather than locating a specific biblical artifact. Historians note the lack of consensus on the Ark’s existence, describing the endeavor as speculative.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Wood Age vs. Biblical Timeline: Navarra’s timber is dated far later than the flood narrative, yet some still cite it as evidence.
- Durupinar Interpretation: Early assessments labeled the formation natural; later tourism promotion markets it as the Ark’s resting place.
- Public Opinion in Turkey: Rebecca Hunter-Kelm reports a spectrum of views—many accept the story because Noah is a prophet in Islam, while others remain skeptical of any physical proof.
What’s Next
Jones says his team will persist with the radar survey and planned digs despite relocation for safety. The scholarly community remains poised to evaluate any future findings against established archaeological standards.