Gary A. Byers
These are exciting times for archaeology. Major discoveries, many directly impacting our understanding of the Bible, are being made almost daily. Due to careful excavation techniques and today’s information super highway, the average person has access to more information than all but the greatest scholars of just a generation ago. Yet, vast areas of antiquity still hold tight to their secrets.
One example is the field of study commonly called “Ark-aeology,” referring to the exploration in search of Noah’s
The region of ancient Urartu and possible site of Noah’s Ark.
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Topography of Mount Ararat.
Ark. Over the past two decades, the search for Noah’s Ark has received international attention. Dozens of expeditions to the Ararat region of modern Turkey, mostly by American Christian groups, have led to numerous claims.
The Bible says Noah’s Ark came to rest on “the mountains of Ararat” (Gn 8:4). “Ararat” designated a region—the ancient highland kingdom of Urartu—and not a specific mountain peak. Its location is well known from antiquity as the rugged mountain region of Turkey’s eastern border. After leaving the Ark on the mountain, there are no more specific Biblical references to the whereabouts of Noah or his immediate family. Later Biblical writers never suggested the Ark could still be seen.
The mountain today called Ararat is more like a range with twin peaks. The highest mountain in the region, it is regularly covered by snow. While it is possible, it is not certain that the mountain known as Ararat today was the place where the Ark landed.
Although the Bible remains silent on the whereabouts of Noah’s Ark, there have been numerous reports of a large boat on a mountain in this region throughout history. As early as the third century BC it appeared to be common knowledge that the Ark could be seen on Mount Ararat.
Over the past century, witnesses continue to report a large vessel on Mount Ararat. Reports ranging from recovery of wooden timber, to aerial photographs,
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to visits, to a basically whole vessel have been widely circulated. A large intact portion of a vessel is believed to be situated below the highest peak, usually encased in ice above the 10,000 ft level. Only during certain warm summers can the structure be witnessed or accessed. Some accounts speak of climbing onto the roof; others talk about walking around inside.
Unfortunately, Mount Ararat’s location on the edge of the old border with the Soviet Union has been a major stumbling block to expeditions, even in good weather. Thus, even when Turkish officials could be persuaded to support an expedition of Americans, fear of Soviet reaction kept the mountain off-limits most of the time.
In the 1980’s, “Ark-aeology” gained an air of respectability and international attention with the active participation of former NASA astronaut James Irwin in expeditions up the mountain. During the 1990’s, with the breakup of the Soviet Union, researchers developed new optimism.
Yet, return visits to proposed sites have produced no further evidence. The whereabouts of actual low-level aerial photographs of the Ark are presently unknown. Satellite images are fuzzy and inconclusive. Different sightings do not suggest the same location on the mountain. Finally, with the death of astronaut Irwin, the public recanting of a purported eyewitness, and even infighting among different “Ark-aeological” groups, the real whereabouts of Noah’s Ark is no closer to being clarified. Coupled with the high costs associated with expeditions up the mountain, exploration on Ararat has been greatly scaled back.
The Associates for Biblical Research has no doubts about the facts of the Biblical story, yet we take no position on the present name or location of the site where Noah’s ark landed. Furthermore, the Associates for Biblical Research cannot substantiate that any part of the Ark of Noah is accessible or retrievable today. As Christians we remain hopeful, as scientists we stay skeptical.
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Noah’s Ark In Ho Scale
In HO scale this miniature is 437 ft long x 72 ft wide x 43 ft high. The HO scale rail stock car is 40 ft long (in HO scale 3.5 mm = 1 ft). Created by ABR Board of Directors member Ronald Zuck.
Critics scorn the Biblical account of Noah’s ark as an unfeasible accomplishment. They fail to comprehend the actual facts of the case. Putting the Ark in scale places it in proper perspective with regard to shape and size. Most artistic portrayals convey a fairy tale image.
The English word “chest” or “coffin” best describes the idea conveyed by the Hebrew “ark.” The proportions of the Biblical dimensions, 300 long x 50 wide x 30 high, seem to recommend a barge-like structure as well. When tested in wave tanks, this design was very stable. The vessel would have to list almost 90 degrees to have capsized and it could withstand waves of 200 ft. With these proportions, the cargo space was also increased by one-third over conventional design. It had sufficient room to hold its passengers.
As to the passengers, the Biblical term “kind” is difficult to define. In Genesis 1, “kind” indicates a breeding group. The modern idea is represented by “family” or “species”. If species is the basis for “kind”, then as many as 43,000 animals would be on board. If “family” is a “kind,” only 16,000 animals would be boarded.
Using modern rail stock car shipping standards, and accepting the average size of all animals to be that of a sheep, only 45% of the Ark would be utilized. Sufficient food could be stored and, combined with a modified self-feeding method, could produce a manageable work load. RZ