Scientific studies concerning an area in Ağrı’s Doğubayazıt district, located in eastern Türkiye, believed to contain the remains of Noah’s Ark, are now becoming the subject of international documentaries.
In 1959, Capt. Ilhan Durupınar, a cartographer with the General Command of Mapping, discovered the site while working with aerial photographs to produce maps of the region. The area, located near the village of Telçeker on Mount Ararat, has long been claimed to contain the remains of Noah’s Ark.
The site has remained shrouded in mystery for centuries, with scientists unable to reach a consensus on the location of Noah’s Ark despite numerous studies conducted over the years.
A research project focusing on Noah’s Ark is currently being carried out under the leadership of professor Cenker Atila of the Department of Archaeology at Sivas Cumhuriyet University, with support from American researcher Andrew Jones.
Three British and American teams, including the crew of world-renowned adventurer and television presenter Bear Grylls, are filming documentaries about the scientific research being conducted in the area.
International productions
Sait Yardımcı, president of the Turkish Film Commission and a producer, told Anadolu Agency (AA) that it was highly significant for Doğubayazıt to host an international documentary production.
Yardımcı said productions of this kind bring the region’s visual richness to audiences around the world.
Welcoming British and American production teams to Doğubayazıt, he said they have worked hard to establish a safe and professional working environment, from the preparation stage through filming. "I believe Doğubayazıt will host many more international documentary and film projects in the future,” he said.
American researcher Jones also highlighted the significance of three different teams filming in the region at the same time.
Place for all faiths
Lauren Witzke of Noah’s Ark Scans said her role in the project was to support research aimed at scientifically determining whether the site is the remains of Noah’s Ark.
Witzke emphasized that they wanted to conduct the most comprehensive scientific study possible and were carrying out advanced research at the site.
"Noah’s Ark holds a very important place in both Christianity and Islam. For that reason, I believe that not only Christians and Muslims, but also people from different countries and different faiths, will want to see this place,” she said.
Atila said that, as part of the research, GPS points were first established and three-dimensional maps of the site were created. Radar surveys were then conducted, followed by the collection of soil samples based on the results.
Atila said the radar data had revealed several voids that could potentially be corridors or rooms and that drilling and soil analysis were being concentrated in these areas.
"These soil samples will be analyzed throughout the winter. We will have our radar results in 10 days and our soil sample results in three months,” he said. "After that, we will make a statement about the site. I plan to continue the research next year and the year after as well.”