{
  "id": 9598369,
  "title": "Noah’s Ark Hunters Share Update, Declare ‘We’re Going In’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/noahs-ark-hunters-share-update-declare-were-going-in",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-24T17:41:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/noahs-ark-hunters-share-update-declare-were-going-in-12484853"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An international team of scientists and archaeologists has commenced drilling into a 515-foot boat-shaped formation in Turkey, which they believe could be the remains of Noah's Ark. The team, comprising experts in archaeology, geology, and soil science, announced on Wednesday that they had initiated the collection of core samples from the Durupınar Formation. This region, located south of Mount Ararat in eastern Turkey, has been a focal point for Ark hunters since it was identified in 1959 due to its outline resembling a ship. Preliminary radar data suggest that the formation is not a simple homogeneous solid rock, as claimed by skeptics, raising doubts about its natural origin. The team, led by Andrew Jones of Noah's Ark Scans, is collaborating with Bakhtar Research and Engineering LLC, where Dr. Khosrow Bakhtar conducted the radar survey. The operation is overseen by archaeologist Cenker Atila from Sivas Cumhuriyet University. The team plans to employ Gopher, an underground robot designed to penetrate areas inaccessible to humans, equipped with a high-resolution camera. This mission aims to put the natural rock explanation to the test, examining whether the structure is a single homogeneous mass of natural stone or contains internal structures. Preliminary observations have revealed layers of organic material, which the team believes could be decayed top-tier remnants of the Ark. However, no bedrock or solid limestone has been identified yet, challenging previous claims of the formation being a natural limestone or bedrock shape. The team anticipates that laboratory analysis of the collected samples will provide further evidence regarding the structure's origin. This initial phase of the investigation, according to Jones, marks a significant breakthrough in the ability to investigate the site beneath the formation, with further fieldwork planned for the following year.",
  "summary": "\"We believe the Durupınar Formation is the remains of Noah’s Ark,\" one hunter said.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}