Archeologist finds wood fragments at site linked to Noah's Ark

Cenker Atila, a professor at the University Sivas Cumhuriyet, discovered dark wood fragments on a hillside in the Durupinar formation in Turkey.

The discovery occurred after heavy rains caused landslides that exposed objects previously buried underground. Atila found the pieces while surveying the area near Mount Ararat, a mountain often associated with the biblical story of Noah's Ark. The Noah's Ark Scans project is currently analyzing the samples to determine their age and origin.

The organization claims the fragments have defined edges and potential signs of human intervention, which could distinguish them from natural materials. However, the project has not yet released laboratory results that confirm the age of the wood, the species of the tree, or any connection to the biblical vessel. Researchers have sent the samples to four different laboratories in four different countries for carbon 14 dating and chemical tests.

These tests will also check for tree sap or bitumen, a substance often used in ancient shipbuilding. The project is using crowdfunding to cover the high costs of these external laboratory tests and plans to share the results once specialists confirm them. The Durupinar formation was first identified in 1959 by İlhan Durupınar, a Turkish Army captain, who noticed its ship-like shape in aerial photographs. For over 60 years, people have conducted measurements and studies on the site.

Even if the wood proves to be ancient or man-made, the organization notes that such findings alone do not prove the pieces belong to Noah's Ark without further archaeological context.