Drilling begins at ‘real site’ of Noah’s Ark as activists warn ‘Darwinism will be dismantled’

Researchers return to controversial Noah’s Ark site with underground robot

The latest work is part of the Noah’s Ark Scans expedition, which is examining the Durupinar formation in the Doğubayazıt district of Ağrı, near Mount Ararat. 

Interest in the location is nothing new. Experts have debated the unusual formation since it was identified as a possible Ark site in 1956. 

At around 16,500ft, its distinctive shape has led some supporters to argue that it bears an uncanny resemblance to a huge boat.

The investigation itself has been under way since 2021 and involves archaeologists and geologists from several countries. 

The team also intends to send an underground robot, named Gopher, beneath the formation to investigate areas that cannot easily be reached from the surface.

No established evidence currently proves the Turkish site is Noah’s Ark

Lauren Witzke, a Christian activist and former US Senate candidate who has described herself as a “flat-earther” and previously called Covid vaccines a “Satanic plot”, is involved in the project as its marketing and fundraising director. 

In an update on Tuesday, Witzke celebrated the start of core drilling, writing: “Good morning from the outer rims of Noah's ark.”

She also claimed that the expedition has been approved and is being overseen by local universities, with “some of the most brilliant minds in the world” working on it.

Witzke has made much bigger claims about what the investigation could ultimately prove, stating: “When we are done, university curricula will need to be rewritten, and Darwinism will be dismantled. This is the place where creation began anew.”

While the project has attracted optimism from those involved, the scientific community has long questioned whether the Durupinar formation has any connection to the Ark described in Genesis, and there is currently no established evidence proving that it does.