In fact, the Ahora Gorge was largely constructed by an 1840 earthquake and the resultant catastrophic erosion. In other words, the Ark landed in the region of the land of Ararat.Īs mentioned above, this dormant volcano last erupted in 1840, and many much larger eruptions occurred during the post-Flood Ice Age. It states that the Ark landed on the “mountains of Ararat” ( Genesis 8:4). Despite popular beliefs, the Bible does not specify that the Ark landed on Mount Ararat. Perhaps the greatest problem with claiming this site as the resting place of the Ark is the fact that the Ahora Gorge is on Mount Ararat. Was he eight years old or ten years old at the time? Was it in 1905 or 1908? Also, it is hard to imagine a youngster making this very difficult and dangerous journey without proper training. Hagopian offered conflicting reports of his adventure. Consider the following complications with his story.
It is very tempting to dismiss Hagopian’s incredible claims as the imaginations of a young child. However to date, none of these adventurers has been able to find the remains of Noah’s Ark at the Ahora Gorge, even though they have used satellite imagery, and explorers have searched the gorge when the glacier in it has melted back. Here is one of the paintings by Elfred Lee based on interviews he had with Hagopian.Īt least a dozen expeditions have explored the Ahora Gorge since Hagopian reportedly walked on the Ark’s roof. In the past few years, the Durupinar site has again risen to prominence after being promoted on several websites as the real Noah’s Ark.ĭespite its “Ark-like” appearance and popularity, Christian geologists and archaeologists who would love to find the Ark and who have visited the location have soundly rejected the Durupinar site as nothing more than a geologic formation. Wyatt claimed to have found numerous artifacts in the vicinity to corroborate his claims. Popularized in the 1980s by Ron Wyatt and others, this “Ark-shaped” formation lies approximately 15 miles from the summit of Mount Ararat. Four of the locations are on or very near Mount Ararat, while the other site lies hundreds of miles from this famous peak.
This article will focus on five of the most popular locations for the Ark’s final resting place. These factors have not stopped the search for the Ark or the reported sightings of it. Also, if Mount Ararat truly were the landing place, how could the Ark have survived this volcano’s numerous eruptions, which continued until 1840? Certainly, it is hard to imagine a large wooden structure surviving the elements for more than 4000 years. Nor would it convince the skeptics who would simply claim it is a replica monument to a mythical boat. And even though we would be ecstatic if the Ark were discovered, we have reason to doubt that it will be found in the future. Image by Vahram Mekhitarian, via Wikimedia Commons.ĭespite so many supposed sightings and evidences from Mount Ararat, it seems unlikely that Noah’s Ark has been found in recent times. Little Ararat (left) and Mount Ararat (right). They call attention to an assortment of evidence that seems to support their beliefs, such as pieces of wood found high on the mountain, as well as aerial and satellite images that show an “Ark-like” structure. While some of these explorers claimed to have found the Ark or its remains, others are a little more cautious. Most of these modern searches have focused on Mount Ararat in Eastern Turkey. In the past century, dozens of individuals have claimed to have located the Ark. Pieces of the Ark were allegedly taken and used as amulets. Throughout history, thousands of individuals have searched various mountains for the remains of this wooden structure described in the Bible and in numerous legends from cultures around the world.Īncient reports speak of the Ark as being readily accessible to certain groups of people, even describing an annual festival that supposedly took place on a mountain slope to commemorate the Ark’s landing. The discovery of Noah’s Ark would be an unparalleled archaeological find.