Noah's Ark National Park - Final Resting Place of Noah's Ark?

 In the 1950’s a NATO ariel survey was made in Turkey and included a section of Ararat in Eastern Turkey. When the film was analyzed, an anomaly was found which did not appear to be natural. An expedition was sent to the site and reported the large indentation in the earth had the shape of a large ship. Life Magazine did a story on the site in 1960 which brought a great deal of attention to the unusual formation.In 1977 amateur archaeologist Ron Wyatt visited the site near the city of Dogubeyazit and extensively explored the area. He found it to be very interesting as its measurements matched those of the Ark. In 1978 an earthquake in the region caused the soil to settle. As a result, a series of ribs were exposed around the perimeter of the site. Ron Wyatt visited the site again and concluded these were the ribs of a large ship. 

In 1986 radar scans of the area revealed a pattern below the surface which they claimed was a large structure. This new evidence, along with Ron Wyatt’s assessment that this was indeed the final resting place of Noah’s Ark was enough for Turkey. In 1987 Turkey officially recognized the site as the ruins of Noah’s Ark and established the Noah’s Ark National Park. 

Ron Wyatt also conducted metal detection test on the area and found a pattern of what he said were large iron bolts used to secure the timbers together. An interesting story is told of the day the park was dedicated. Ron Wyatt was asked to demonstrate the metal detection equipment used to find the iron bolts. Almost immediately the equipment detected something under the surface. Until that time Wyatt had not been permitted to dig at the site. However, a dignitary from the government who was attending the dedication insisted that the find be revealed and digging began. Soon they had revealed a large fossilized beam of wood which had been broken off on one end. It was also reported the beam appeared to have been treated with pitch.

Ronald (Ron) Eldon Wyatt (June 2, 1933 - August 4th, 1999) was by profession a nurse anesthetist. He is known for advancing the Durupinar site as the final resting place of Noah's Ark. Wyatt also claimed to have made a number of other important archaeological discoveries related to the Bible. He founded the Wyatt Archaeological Research (WAR) organization. Wyatt's claimed discoveries have been met with severe criticism.  Authorities with the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) state Ron Wyatt never carried out a legally licensed excavation in either Israel of Jerusalem. WAR claims the IAA always issued 'verbal permits' for Wyatt's work. 

In 2014, further tests were done on the site. Resistivity Scans revealed what appears to be a large boat
shaped object beneath the soil. Other tests of specimens taken from the site showed evidence of fossilization of objects with organic carbon. 

While this site offers some intriguing possibilities and test results, it should come as no surprise it has its critics. Most scholars dismiss this site as nothing more than an unusual rock formation and insist it has nothing to do with Noah’s Ark. If you wish to visit the site to examine the evidence for yourself, it is open to the public and now includes a visitor’s center, gift shop, and café. Given the site is somewhat remote and in what must be considered rough terrain, it is not recommended to just ‘show up’ at the site and expect to visit the park, advance preparations are required.

This post is taken from "The Bible as History - 3rd Edition."