01.12.2025 13:31
Professor Dr. Faruk Kaya, who works at Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University, stated that the ceramic fragments discovered in the area believed to be the remnants of Noah's Ark, located between the villages of Telçeker and Üzengili in Doğubayazıt, should be protected and that their removal should be prevented. The area was first discovered on September 11, 1959, by Captain İlhan Durupınar, who mapped the Eastern Anatolia Region using a Turkish Armed Forces aircraft.
Prof. Dr. Faruk Kaya from Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University stated that the ceramic fragments uncovered during road works near the area believed to be the remnants of Noah's Ark in Doğubayazıt indicate that human activity may have existed in the region since the Chalcolithic Period. Expressing that this period coincides with the time of Prophet Noah, Prof. Dr. Kaya said, "This formation and its surroundings, which are of great importance in terms of faith tourism, must be protected."
DISCOVERED BY CAPTAIN DURUPINAR The region was first discovered on September 11, 1959, by Captain İlhan Durupınar, a cartographer who mapped the Eastern Anatolia Region with a Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) aircraft. Samples taken from the formation claimed to belong to Noah's Ark, located between the villages of Telçeker and Üzengili in Doğubayazıt, revealed that settled life in the region dates back approximately 5,000 years. The 'Ağrı Mountain and Noah's Ark Research Team,' established in 2022 in collaboration with AİÇÜ and Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ), conducted extensive studies in the area with geophysics, chemistry, and geoarchaeology experts. The collected rock and soil samples were analyzed in İTÜ laboratories. The analyses revealed that human life has been possible in the region since the Chalcolithic Period (5500-3000 BC).
UNIQUE IN THE WORLD Prof. Dr. Faruk Kaya, a faculty member of the Human Geography Department at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences of Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University (AİÇÜ), stated that no similar structure has been identified anywhere else in the world so far. Kaya expressed that many Turkish and foreign scientists are conducting research in the region and have also carried out geophysical and georadar imaging studies, saying: "There are scientists who suggest that there could be a ship here and that the dimensions of this ship match those of the Ark of Prophet Noah mentioned in the Bible. In a study we conducted together with Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University and Istanbul Technical University, we took rock samples from here and had the samples analyzed in the laboratories of Istanbul Technical University. It was obtained from these rock fossils that the history of human settlement here dates back approximately to 5500 to 3000 BC.
Therefore, we can say that there could have been settled life here as far back as 5500 BC. This also approximately coincides with the period when Prophet Noah lived. It is accepted that Prophet Noah lived approximately 5,000 to 7,000 years ago. For this reason, it is essential to protect this formation and its surroundings, which are of great importance in terms of faith tourism, and to prevent the removal of any rocks, stones, or similar fossils from here. Because this place is indeed an important faith tourism destination, especially from the perspective of the Western world. It is a place that needs to be researched and examined. During our field studies here, we learned from the villagers that tourists coming here sometimes take various rocks, even stones with inscriptions, from the formation. This is a very wrong thing because the history of this place is known to be inscribed on those rocks and stones."
LANDSLIDE THREATENS Prof. Dr. Kaya emphasized that one of the most significant problems in this region is landslides, stating, "We observe that the structure is being damaged from both its right and left sides, especially with the increase in spring rains. It is extremely important to take precautions regarding this and to promote in-depth scientific studies to bring this structure into tourism."
"A MUSEUM SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED" Prof. Dr. Faruk Kaya stated that it is very important to establish a museum in the region where studies are ongoing, saying, "The studies on where Noah's Ark landed will continue in a longer and more in-depth manner in the future, just as they have in the past. If theme parks related to Noah's Ark can be established in Kentucky, USA, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands while scientific research continues, why can't a similar initiative be established around Ağrı Mountain, which has a much higher potential for faith tourism? A Noah's Ark Museum must be established to evaluate this region in terms of faith tourism. The museum should be built in a suitable location either at the foot of Ağrı Mountain, in Doğubayazıt, or in the area where the silhouette is located. The museum to be established here is of great importance for the tourism of the region and the country," he said.