Tag Archive for: Noah's ark

2023-2024 Updates and Accomplishments

The 2 new books published by Agri University from the Noah's ark Symposium held in 2023. We have 2 chapters in one of the books and our photographs are used throughout the two books.

Over the last two years, your support has enabled incredible progress in our research, outreach, and exploration of Noah’s Ark and related biblical sites. Here’s what we’ve achieved together:

  • Social Media Growth:
  • Podcast Interviews:
    • Featured on numerous podcasts discussing Noah’s Ark, the Exodus and Red Sea Crossing, Mount Sinai, and other biblical sites.
  • Television Features:
    • Appeared on TV shows with Pastor Rick Renner, Pastor Jim Scudder, Jr, CBN news, Revelation TV, and others, highlighting the sites of Noah’s Ark and Mount Sinai in Arabia.
  • News Coverage:
  • Noah’s Ark Symposium:
  • New Research:
    • Collaborated with Dr. Salih Bayraktutan on new Noah’s Ark studies.
    • Integrated AI and border survey studies into our Noah’s Ark investigations.
  • Published Works:
    • Edited and wrote a special message to Pastor Rick Renner’s new book on Noah’s ark. He has a full page ad in his book for our new Noah’s ark tours as well.
    • Contributing research and material to a new book in the French language for a new Swiss documentary film about the Noah’s ark, exodus route and Mount Sinai discoveries of Ron Wyatt.
    • Contributed to two new books published by Agri University, both featuring research on Noah’s Ark, including two chapters authored by our team. Check out the books here: https://noahsarkscans.com/new-resources-available-2-new-books-on-noahs-ark/
  • Data Analysis & Research:
    • Collected and analyzed new data on Noah’s Ark, the Exodus, and other projects like the Ark of the Covenant including newly discovered photos from over 40 years ago which we hope to release soon.
  • Tours:

We couldn’t have achieved this without your prayers, encouragement, and financial support. Please consider contributing to continue this vital work into 2025! Donate here
/by

7th International Noah’s Ark Symposium a Success!

7th International Mount Ararat and Noah's Ark Symposium. Agri University.
Picture of Andrew Jones

Andrew Jones

Noah’s Ark Researcher

Connecting Scholars and Enthusiasts: A Look Back at the 7th International Mount Ararat and Noah’s Ark Symposium

Our organization had the distinct privilege of playing a central role in organizing and presenting at the 7th International Mount Ararat and Noah’s Ark Symposium. The event, held at Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University in Ağrı, Turkey, October 2023 brought together academics, researchers, and enthusiasts from around the globe to explore one of history’s most enduring mysteries—the story of Noah’s Ark and the Ararat region.

Facilitating Key Contributions

Our efforts included helping to coordinate and present two well-received papers during the symposium. These presentations added depth to the discussions and highlighted cutting-edge research related to the Ark narrative and its historical context. One of the papers can be downloaded here https://noahsarkscans.com/inscription-border-search-report/

Additionally, we were instrumental in securing the event’s two keynote speakers (Dr. Randall Younker and Dr. Jiri Moskala), ensuring that the symposium delivered compelling and authoritative perspectives to its attendees. This collaboration exemplified our commitment to fostering dialogue between diverse groups, enhancing the academic and cultural richness of the symposium.

Building International Bridges

A significant highlight was bringing Andrews University from Berrien Springs, Michigan, USA, into partnership with Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University. This collaboration between an American institution and the main local Turkish university underscored the global significance of the event. By bridging these academic communities, the symposium advanced international cooperation in archaeological and historical studies.

Groundbreaking Announcements

The symposium was marked by exciting updates from Dr. Mustafa Kumral of Istanbul Technical University and Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University. The institutions announced the initial results of their ongoing archaeological surface survey on Mount Ararat and the surrounding region. These findings captured worldwide attention, with media outlets reporting on the developments and generating renewed interest in the Ark’s possible historical and geographical reality.

One of the symposium’s most significant moments was an interview with then vice rector, Dr. Faruk Kaya, on the final day, who shared insights into the survey results. Dr. Kaya’s thoughtful commentary earned positive press coverage and further elevating the symposium’s profile.

A Warm Welcome at the Durupinar Noah’s Ark Visitor Center

To enrich the experience for our tour group and fellow attendees, Noah’s Ark Scans hosted a special gathering at the Durupinar Noah’s Ark Visitor Center. Participants enjoyed desserts and drinks in the picturesque setting, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. The hospitality extended during this gathering highlighted the unique blend of scholarship and community that defined the event.

Looking Ahead

The 7th International Mount Ararat and Noah’s Ark Symposium was more than just an academic gathering—it was a celebration of human curiosity and collaboration. By bringing together institutions, scholars, and enthusiasts, the event paved the way for future research and exploration into one of history’s most fascinating legends.

We are honored to have contributed to this important event and look forward to continuing our mission of connecting people and ideas to uncover the truths of our shared past. Stay tuned for the 8th International Symposium which will be held next year in October 2025. Hope to see you there! Please don’t forget us in your year end donations to continue our work.
/by

Swiss French film crew interview Dr. Salih Bayraktutan on Noah’s ark

Francois and Dr. Salih Bayraktutan at the Durupinar Noah's ark site discussing the past ark research.
Picture of Andrew Jones

Andrew Jones

Noah’s Ark Researcher

Hello from Turkey and the mountains of ancient Urartu (Ararat) where Noah’s ark landed. Summer is almost upon us here. Flowers 

Spring flowers are blooming around the mountains of Ararat.
Spring flowers are blooming around the mountains of Ararat.

Last summer (2020), Zafer Onay and I were invited to a meeting with a group of Turkish scientists and officials at the Noah’s ark boat formation site. It was some of the same scientists and officials from our 2019 meeting on the site except this time we, also, met an archaeo-geophysicist / geophysical engineer from Istanbul University. We had in the group two Turkish archaeologists (one a professor of archaeology doing work in the region at Urartu archaeological sites), Assist. Prof. Dr. Fethi Yuksel, and two Ministry of Culture and Tourism officials (one from Ankara and the other the tourism manager of this province). After an initial meeting at the visitor center, five of us headed down to the boat formation for a survey of the ark site. 

Swiss film producer and businessman, Francois and his French cameraman, Cedric, prep an interview of Dr. Salih Byraktutan at the Noah's ark visitor center which overlooks the Durupinar ark site.
Swiss film producer and businessman, Francois and his French cameraman, Cedric, prep an interview of Dr. Salih Byraktutan at the Noah's ark visitor center which overlooks the Durupinar ark site.
A successful first day of filming at the ark site.
A successful first day of filming at the ark site.

Dr. Yuksel did a field-walking or pedestrian survey of the ark site along with one of the other archaeologists and Zafer Onay and myself. Dr. Yuksel is a professor in the geophysical engineering department at Istanbul University and an expert in geophysical surveys (i.e. Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Ground-penetrating Radar (GPR)). After the pedestrian survey was completed we held another meeting at the visitor center and Dr. Yuksel was tasked with writing up the project plan and budget for phase one. We finally received the project documents in October 2020. This plan is the basis for the scientific project on NoahsArkScans.com.

Radar scan results from Dr. Salih Bayraktutan's ground penetrating radar survey of the Durupinar ark site done in 1987.
Radar scan results from Dr. Salih Bayraktutan's ground penetrating radar survey of the Durupinar ark site done in 1987.

Last November, after we received the project documents, Zafer and I flew to Istanbul to meet with Dr. Yuksel and Sait Yardimci. We were able to go over the project budget in detail.

Sunset at the Durupinar Noah's ark site in the Mountains of Ararat (Urartu) in eastern Turkey.
Sunset at the Durupinar Noah's ark site in the Mountains of Ararat (Urartu) in eastern Turkey.

With winter arriving in the mountains of eastern Turkey and snow falling already in Dogubayazit I decided to stay in Istanbul over the winter after guiding some friends from California around there in early December. I met up with Dr. Yuksel and Sait Yardimci a number of times during my winter stay in Istanbul. We were able to film some promo videos and I was able to visit Dr. Yuksel at Istanbul University and get a private tour of some of the sites he has done GPR scans at on the university property. 

With summer here a date was set for the whole team to come out to eastern Turkey to finalize the plans for the project on-site. With 4 days on the ground, the team was able to meet daily and see the different sites associated with the Noah’s ark research project and meet key archaeologists doing other work in the region. This year’s work is a necessary step and the most important one to reach our goal. 
A successful film expedition. Saying our goodbyes to the European group. Hope to see them again! Awesome people.
A successful film expedition. Saying our goodbyes to the European group. Hope to see them again! Awesome people.

Our goal has always been to uncover as much evidence as possible for Noah’s ark and to present it to the world. God bless!!

Partner with us!

This major scientific study of the boat site can only happen with your support!
Join the 250 Club!
Donate $100.
Support!
/by

New report released! Drone flight into Iran to document ancient inscriptions about Noah’s ark.

Original landing site of Noah's ark-search for ancient inscriptions on the border© 2021 NoahsArkScans.com
Picture of Andrew Jones

Andrew Jones

Noah's Ark Researcher

Access the full report here!

Why did I fly a drone into Iran last month from a Turkish military zone? As some of you know I have flown drones in some crazy places in our research at these Biblical archaeological sites in the Middle East. In February 2017 I did the first drone flight from the summit of the real Mount Sinai in NW Arabia (aka ancient Midian). Many times I’ve flown at the split Rock of Horeb on the west side of the Horeb range and I even once had a $6,500 drone overheat and crash in the Saudi desert (one “friend” later ridiculed me as a “failed drone pilot” ha!). Now just a few weeks ago our team consisting of a Turkish archaeologist, an official from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and a Turkish border commander with his soldiers were all watching me fly a drone from Turkey into Iran with the possibility of losing the equipment and causing an international incident. 

Some awesome miracles are taking place here in Turkey with the Noah’s ark research! While we are not done yet with the border survey work and are only starting we thought an initial report should be made public so that our supporters can keep up with the exciting doors that God has opened.

Driving in the back of a Turkish military truck along the Turkish-Iranian border. This is the new wall that they built on the Turkish side.
Driving in the back of a Turkish military truck along the Turkish-Iranian border. This is the new wall that they built on the Turkish side.

Please keep us in your prayers each day! We are grateful for the financial support that keeps the Noah’s ark research going. Check out the link to the full report below.

Access the full report here!
A drone photo from Iran looking back at us in Turkey with a Turkish archaeologist and an official from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The military base commander and the 4 soldiers with him stood out of view. The right edge of the photo shows the edge of border marker #65 which is the one Ron documented that had the boat-like and bird-like symbols carved on them that he associated with the original landing site of Noah’s ark. The full photos will be released in our final report.
A drone photo from Iran looking back at us in Turkey with a Turkish archaeologist and an official from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The military base commander and the 4 soldiers with him stood out of view. The right edge of the photo shows the edge of border marker #65 which is the one Ron documented that had the boat-like and bird-like symbols carved on them that he associated with the original landing site of Noah’s ark. The full photos will be released in our final report.
/by

Mayor of major city near Noah’s ark promises support!

Zafar Onay and his neighborhood section chief along with Andrew Jones meeting the mayor of Doğubayazıt, Yildiz Acar, on July 16, 2021.© 2021 NoahsArkScans.com
Picture of Andrew Jones

Andrew Jones

Noah’s Ark Researcher

We had an exciting and productive meeting with the Honorable Yildiz Acar, the mayor of Doğubayazıt, a few weeks ago. The section chief for Zafer Onay’s neighborhood set up the meeting. We were able to introduce to her the Noah’s ark visitor center renovation project and present our renovation plans for the site. She was very excited and offered the municipality’s support. We gave her ideas for tourism in this district including a tourism center along the well-traveled Ishak Pasha road. Ishak Pasha is the main tourist site in the province in addition to trekking on Mount Ararat (Ağrı Dağı) and visiting Noah’s Ark (Nuh’un Gemisi) which is the site we are working to promote and do further research on. The mayor gave her approval to use their logo on our material as a sponsor of the renovation project. She promised the following support:
  1. The city will provide an outside trash dumpster with a weekly trash pickup. 
  2. The city will pave the dirt parking lot in front of the visitor center this fall.
  3. The city will donate landscaping including trees, bushes, and benches to the site next spring after the city engineers visit the site with us to see where best to plant the new trees and bushes.

Another exciting development was that we asked the mayor if they could print tourism flyers about the Noah’s ark site to be placed in the lobby and/or hotel rooms in all the hotels in Doğubayazıt and she agreed to that. We are currently in the process of designing these city-sponsored tourism flyers.

If you would like to help support this renovation project and build the new walking trails around the Noah’s ark site please visit the below links. We are needing 100 volunteers to come to the site this year. We have different dates you can select from for the week-long trip (or you can stay longer). If you can’t make it we have a list of initial items we need donors to financially sponsor at the below link. Thank you for the continued support as we do our best to upgrade the site and promote tourism to this area of Turkey. 

Volunteer today!

We need 100 volunteers to help make this happen. Turkey is open to tourism and does not require a vaccine to visit.
Register
Limited space
Sponsor a Specific Item for the Project!
/by