William Shea1
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Although much has been written about the location of Noah’s Ark on Mount Ararat (the actual name is “Agri Dagh”), we are glad to present an update on a second possibility nearby. In no way whatever do we mean to detract, in this article, from the great effort that has been expended trying to find the Ark on Mount Ararat. It may still be discovered there. However, we feel that, in the interest of objective biblical research, some consideration should be given to any alternatives.
A ship-shaped formation was originally discovered in the Ten-durek (Cesnaki) Mountains by an aerial photographer in 1959 and reported in Life magazine in 1960. Since that time, the following have been observed concerning this formation:
1. It is located in the area of the biblical mountains of Ararat.
2. It is shaped like a ship (1959).
3. It is the exact length of the biblical Ark (1960).
4. Very large anchor-type stones have been found in the vicinity (1977ff.).
5. An eight-cross motif identifies these stones and this area as a traditional location for the landing of Noah’s Ark and family (1977).
6. As the formation has weathered over the centuries, a series of vertical striations have appeared along both sides of the formation. These striations resemble the remains of a ship’s ribs (1979).
7. A high organic carbon content has been found in a soil sample from the formation (1979).
8. Traces of some metals have been found in a soil sample from the formation (1979).
9. Two different types of metal detectors have demonstrated a linear subsurface pattern of elements which appear to be longitudinal and transverse members (1984–1985).
10. An abbreviated radar scan has confirmed, with refined detail, the same patterns as those already demonstrated by metal detectors (1986). This pattern could be identified as containing the elements of a keel, keelsons, and bulkheads from the remains of something in the form of a ship.
The location of this formation is near the Kurdish village of Uzungil (or, Ozingili). It is only about 10–12 miles from the traditional Mount Ararat. The valley floor here is about 5000 feet above sea level and the formation is at 6300, thus easily accessible and highly visible. It is definitely in the heart of the “mountains of Ararat” (Genesis 8:4) – a region, not a single peak. “Urartu” (same root as “Ararat”) was the name of an ancient kingdom in this area. Thus, the Bible may be simply referring to the mountains of that kingdom or region.
Two articles have previously been published regarding this formation: we refer the reader to them.2 In what follows, we will first summarize the earlier research, but most of this report will deal with recent work from August, 1984 to July, 1986.
Phase One: Early Recognition and Identification, 1959–1976
This formation was first noticed in aerial photographs taken of
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Eastern Turkey for NATO in 1959. Ilhan Durupinar was the Turkish military officer who first noticed the ship-like nature of this formation in those aerial photographs. The location of a formation with this shape in the mountains of Ararat led to the 1960 expedition reported in Life magazine (9/5/60). The experience of that expedition has been told by one of its participants, Rene Noorbergen, in his book, The Ark File.3 On the basis of the aerial photographs of the formation, Arthur Branderberger, professor of photogrammetry at Ohio State University at the time, measured the object’s length at approximately 500 feet, or 300 cubits. This measurement was subsequently confirmed from the ground by the 1960 expedition. In spite of the close correlation with the measurement of the biblical Ark, it was decided that the formation had nothing to do with that biblical obiect and that it would not be investigated further.
No more was heard of this formation until Noorbergen published his account of the expedition in his book in 1974. It was from this report that this author personally became interested in this formation, and that interest resulted in the publication of an article in 1976 proposing that it should be identified with the remains of the Ark.
Phase Two: Surface Survey and Sampling, 1977–1984.
Stone Anchors, 1977
The second phase of the examination of this object began in 1977 when Ron Wyatt visited it for the first time. Among his significant observations of surface features in the area was the suggestion that several stone objects there resembled stone anchors used in the Mediterranean in antiquity.. These were described in the Origins article. While stones of this type found in the Ararat region resemble those found in the Mediterranean both in shape and proportions, they are considerably larger than any anchor stones found elsewhere (8 feet high by 3–4 feet in width and 18–24 inches thick). They were incised with eight crosses which might be interpreted to refer to Noah and the members of his family. It is evident, therefore, that some person or persons – probably in Byzantine times – made a direct iconographic connection between Noah’s family, the Ark, this special type of stone, and this geographical region.
Carbon Content, 1979
The formation was struck by an earthquake in December, 1978. As a result, it cracked lengthwise and partially split open. This opening made it possible for Ron Wyatt to obtain relatively fresh internal soil samples from it when he returned to the site in September, 1979. In a test run on this sample, along with another sample taken from the field outside of the formation, the organic carbon content was measured. The organic carbon content of the soil from the formation was 4.95% while the soil from the field around the formation was 1.88%. This degree of difference is consistent with the prior presence of some organic matter (like wood) in the formation.
Metallic Content, 1979
At the same time the sample from the formation was tested for carbon content, it was also tested
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Stone “anchor-shaped” object which has eight Byzantine-type crosses incised on it.
The iconography is meant to represent the family of Noah. Noah’s large cross is in the middle, his wife’s cross is below the right arm of his cross, while the crosses of his three sons are on one side above the arm and the three crosses for their wives are above the other arm. Note the hole at the top of the stone. With anchor stones these holes were used for the anchor rope. Eight of these stones have been found in the vicinity of the Tendurek mountain formation, most of them located several miles west of it. The crosses incised on them no doubt date from the Christian era, but the stones themselves may be older than that.
The ship-shaped formation from the northwest.
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for traces of metals, and the presence of such elements was detected in the sample. The important point at this juncture was not so much in the specific substances or their quantity as it was in just the general idea that there might be some metal present in the forma tion. This result raised the question in Wyatt’s mind as to whether some of these metals might not be related to Noah’s Ark in some way or another, and whether or not more of such substances might be discovered through the use of a metal detector.
Phase Three: The Application of Instrumentation, 1984–1986.
AUGUST, 1984
Wyatt reasoned that if the presence of metal had been found by the laboratory, a metal detector might actually pinpoint the metal. He was correct. Although there were no readings at all in the field surrounding the formation, there were positive indications over the formation. In fact, they appeared to present some kind of pattern.
MARCH, 1985
Although partially covered by snow, the site was next visited for this kind of work in March, 1985. David Fasold, a marine salvor from Florida, accompanied Ron Wyatt. Fasold brought a molecular frequency generator, which is a different kind of metal detector. The formation tested strongly positive for iron and wealdy positive for copper or bronze. No response was obtained for any other metals tested, such as gold and silver. Both this new equipment and a standard metal detector indicated a subsurface pattern to the formation.
MAY, 1985
The accuracy offered by both these means of metal detection presented the possibility of mapping the pattern that they detected. In May, 1985, John Baumgardner, a geophysicist from Los Alamos, New Mexico, joined Wyatt and Fasold in doing just that. Both types of metal detectors were used and the pattern they indicated was recorded by laying colored strips of tape along the lines they delineated, both lengthwise and crosswise in relation to the formation. This pattem was then measured, drawn, and videotaped. A drawing taken from that pattern appears in Figure 1.
Of particular interest at this time was the testing of vertical striations that appear in the outer wall of the formation. They are especially visible along the east side of the upper or southern end of the formation, and along the west side of the northern end of the formation. These have become more prominent with the weathering of the formation. This is one case in which a visual feature can be tested instrumentally. Using both types of metal detectors, the striations give positive readings while the spaces between the striations give negative readings
AUGUST, 1985
When the three men returned and continued mapping, Tom Anderson, a lawyer from Indio, California, and a cameraman joined them. They spent five full days thoroughly mapping subsurface patterns indicated by metal detectors, and recorded their work on videotape and movie film. Once again colored strips of tape were laid down over the formation where the metal detectors provided positive readings. Their intention was to follow up this kind of work with a radar scan of the site. Unfortunately, the Turkish army became involved in hunting terrorists in the area and the work had to be suspended. The
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radar scan had to wait until July, 1986.
In review, on four occasions two different types of metal detectors consistently detected patterns on the ship-shaped object. These pat-tems were laid out and mapped, and the results of the last two occasions were recorded on visual equipment. The pattern of the metallic distribution of this formation, whatever it means, seems reasonably straightforward and clear. In light of the above, considerable confidence can be placed in the accuracy of these readings.
The July, 1986 Expedition
The chief purpose of this effort was to obtain a complete ground-penetrating radar scan of the ship-shaped formation. Beyond this, however, other equipment was brought along for magneto-metric, resistivity, and seismic testing of the formation. The team included Wyatt, Baumgardner, and Anderson, along with Mrs. Baumgardner, William Shea of Andrews University as archaeological advisor, and two cameramen, Todd Fisher and Scott Snider from Los Angeles. Even though it was not possible to carry out the full program of work projected, advances were made in understanding the geographical and artifactual setting of the formation, and an abbreviated, preliminary scan was made.
The Geographical Setting
None of the previous articles or photographs have presented this site in its broader perspective. One question that has arisen is its distance from the traditional Mount Ararat (“Agri Dagh” in Turkish). One author stated, for example, that it is remote from that mountain, some 50 miles away.4 Such a statement could only have been made by someone who has never visited this formation.
Dougbayazlt, the base camp for all Mount Ararat expeditions, is a 10–12 hour drive east of Ankara. Another 12–13 kilometers east of Dougbayazit the road turns south toward the Tendurek (Cesnaki) Mountains and the ship-shaped formation. At that fork, one can see Agri Dagh to the north-north-west. It is about 6 miles to its base and perhaps 12 airline miles to its peak. Turning and looking south from this point, the formation can be seen about 3 miles away high up on the northem slope of the Ten-durek (Cesnaki) mountain ridge. Just west of it is the village of Uzungili. A large red outcrop of rock can be seen a short distance above the formation. Beyond that the slope of the mountain rises to the top of the Tendurek (Cesnaki) ridge. This ridge was formed by a large upward thrust readily evident from the series of strata exposed by it. The exposed strata of this ridge are visible for a distance of at least 10 miles, the distance from our hotel to this tum off in the main road. Baumgardner, the geophysicist in the group, informed the author that these strata have been classified as Cretaceous by students of the geology of the area.
The road from Dougbayazit to the Tendurek (Cesnaki) mountain turnoff passes through an agricultural plain that extends from the base of Mount Ararat to the base of the Tendurek (Cesnaki) mountains. The point we wish to emphasize in this discussion is the close proximity of this formation to Mount Ararat. If the “mountains of Ararat” center around Agri
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Dagh, then this ship-shaped formation, only 10–12 miles from its base, could surely be considered to be resting in the heartland of the region.
The Stone Anchors
The author’s previously published discussion of these objects was based upon impressions gathered from an 8 mm. movie, videotapes, slides and prints, and oral communication (See the author’s review of recent data in Origins 8:2, pp. 84-88). From a personal visit to them now, we find that we must make one or two corrections in what was written earlier. The first correction is in their distance from the formation. These stone objects cluster around the village of Horazam. Horazam is located two or three miles north of Doug-bayazit, which in turn is ten miles west of the ship-shaped formation. At a minimum, then, these stone objects are at least ten miles west of that formation.
Previously the author described just two of these stones. As it turns out, there may be eight of the large anchor-type stones. We visited three of them. Two are located on the ridges west of Horazam. Both had fallen and fractured, one to a greater extent and one to a lesser extent. They both had a set of eight large crosses incised upon them, so large that they took up most of one face of the stones. A third stone stands erect in the village of Horazam itself. The crosses incised on this stone are somewhat smaller in size. A fourth stone is on a nearby hill. And a fifth is in the mountains near the ship-shaped object and will be discussed below. There are some other stones of this type in the vicinity of this village, but they are more short and squat and, even though a number of them have eight smaller crosses incised into them, they seldom have rope holes. These do not require further evaluation here.
The considerable distance of these anchor stones from the for-marion may somewhat diminish their significance as markers of the Ark itself. On the other hand, it has been argued that they could have served as drogue stones which were loosed or lost before the ship came to its final resting place. They were cut from black stone which may be basalt. There is considerable basalt in the area. A sample piece has been taken from one of the broken stones for analysis in the laboratory. Radio-metric dating may show its age compared with the recent local stone.
The most important anchor-type stone is located in the vicinity of the formation, just one or two hundred meters upslope from it. When Wyatt visited there in 1977 it was still standing on the hillside. But when he came back in 1979 it had fallen into a nearby ravine, either due to the earthquake or the actions of some of the villagers. He has avoided examining it again for fear of attracting the attention of the villagers to it. His fears seem to be well founded. When the team visited Horazam, the mayor was talking about using the anchor stone standing in the village in the construction of a new wall for his house. His brother and our translator appear to have talked him out of doing this.
The Radar Scan Results
[Editor’s note: The results of 10 preliminary radar scans are very important in understanding the meaning of the formation. However, our small magazine is simply unable to carry all the descriptive information and printouts. No doubt, this information will eventually become available to
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scholars in a more technical journal. In the meantime, those seriously interested and capable of analyzing the radar information might fred correspondence with Dr. Shea or Ron Wyatt to be useful.]
A summary of the radar scan results may prove helpful as well as interesting. A total of 10 passes were made over the formation in three different directions: transversely, longitudinally, and along the sides. The rounded end or “stem” of the formation faces downslope to the north. The radar scans were all made over the southernmost, higher portion of the formation (the pointed end, or “prow”) in anticipation that the rest would be scanned after permissions were granted. (Unfortunately, permission was not granted and the scans could not be made in July, 1986. Only this preliminary information is available.)
A short description of some of the clearest radar scans begins with No. 5. Made about 75 feet below the point, or “prow”, it revealed 12 fairly evenly distributed, or parallel positioned, images across its transverse section. There was actually a 13th off the scan sheet. The 13 images appearing in this cross-section indicate that there is a centerpiece among them. It is labelled “K” here for the possible “keel” at the bottom of the printout. The other images seem to be in parallel pairs at approximately equal distances on opposite sides of the centerpiece. In nautical terminology, the longitudinal members of the formation would all be known as “keel” and “keelsons”. Scan No. 2 was made transversely about 55 feet downslope from the “prow.” Although No. 2 is less clear than No. 5, its pattern is the same. One difference is in the distance between the parallel pairs running the length of the formation. They are slightly closer to the center than those of No. 5, which is what would be expected of keelsons as they bend toward the bow of a ship.
Scan No. 4 was also a transverse pass taken about 66 feet from the point or prow. The upper portion of the printout is largely blanked out all the way across the formation. It appears that in this case the scan went right down a crosswise element in the formation. In nautical terminology this might be a “bulkhead.”
Four scans were made laterally along the west side. No. 9, the clearest and representative of the others, was made beginning at the point of the “prove’ and proceeded north. This scan provided an interesting pattern that reveals both vertical and horizontal members present. It seems to be an interlaced or interwoven pattern in the side of the formation, very evenly distributed.
Other scans reveal the same patterns, but are not as clear. The one longitudinal scan is not clear enough to make any determinations.
To summarize, these four scans provide the best evidence yet for the outline of the substructure of this formation. Even though they are preliminary, they do represent an advance in our knowledge of the interior of the formation.
At the beginning of this article we presented a list of the results of research on the ship-shaped formation in the Tendurek mountains. The first six items were from the results of field research and the last four were the results of laboratory analysis. The last half of the list point to the general conclusion that the remains of a ship appear to be present in this formation. The first half are of a more specific nature that would
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connect the remains of such a ship with the ark of Noah described in Genesis. The progressive convergence of these various lines of evidence seem to confirm the conclusion that some of the remains of Noah’s Ark lie within this unusual formation.
Negotiations with Turkish government officials and Turkish archaeologists continue. It may be possible for a joint expedition to go into the field in 1988.
Issues of Bible and Spade carrying articles on the search for Noah’s Ark on Mount Ararat are: Summer, 1972; Winter, 1973; Summer, Autumn, 1974; Spring-Summer, 1975; Summer, 1977. Sets of issues for 12 years may be purchased from ABR.
MAP OF AREA: Note location of Greater and Lesser Mounts Ararat in upper section of (Buyuk and Kuouk Agridagh). The formation is located southeast of Dogubayazit in the Cesnaki mountains which seem to be a part of the Tendurek mountains. This whole area is considered from the earliest times as the “mountains of Ararat.”