Expedition Disputed What does “Disputed” mean?
Sivas Cumhuriyet University and Noah's Ark Scans run a 2026 field season at Durupınar
– 11 September 2026 · by Sivas Cumhuriyet University (SCU), Cenker Atila, Noah's Ark Scans
A ministry-approved project led by Prof. Cenker Atila mapped the formation, ran GPR and core drilling, and sent soil samples to Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University for analysis; reported sample counts differ and results are pending.
What is claimed
Noah's Ark Scans says the cores found no bedrock or solid limestone inside the formation and recovered organic-rich layers it believes could be decayed Ark remains.
What is established
No laboratory results had been published as of October 2026; Jones and SCU describe the findings as preliminary and not yet peer reviewed.
Details
Fieldwork ran 28 June to 11 September 2026 under an approval dated 21 May 2026 from the Erzurum regional directorate of the Environment Ministry, with about 20 researchers from five countries (SCU). Noah's Ark Scans said on 23 September that core drilling had begun and that a drill bit broke on a hard layer it suggested could be petrified wood; Jones later told Newsweek no material had yet been identified as ancient wood and that a hard rock block was another possibility. SCU expects evaluation and reporting to run to mid-2027. Reported sample counts differ. Al Jazeera (12 October 2026) reported that the team focused on about 366 soil samples taken 1-15 m deep inside and outside the formation; Atila told the DHA news agency (27 September 2026) that about 1,000 soil samples were taken from 100-150 points; and Ağrı governor Önder Bozkurt said on 2 October 2026 that, according to Atila, nearly 360 soil samples had been taken for Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University's laboratory.
- Claimants
- Sivas Cumhuriyet University (SCU) Cenker Atila Noah's Ark Scans
- People involved
- Andrew Jones
- Site
- Durupınar formation
Sources (7)
- Sivas Cumhuriyet Üniversitesi Öncülüğünde Yürütülen "Durupınar Formasyonu" Araştırması Dünya Bilim Çevrelerinin Odağında (opens in a new tab)
- Core Drilling Begins at Durupinar Noah's Ark Site, Drill Bit Shatters on Possible Layer of Petrified Wood (opens in a new tab)
- Noah's Ark Hunters Testing for Wood After Drilling Mission (opens in a new tab)
- Araştırma ekibi başkanı açıkladı. Nuh'un Gemisi bulundu mu? (opens in a new tab)
- Nuh'un Gemisi gerçek mi? Ağrı'daki formasyondan alınan bin numune laboratuvarda (opens in a new tab)
- Ağrı Valisi Bozkurt'tan, Nuh'un Gemisi açıklaması (opens in a new tab)
- مقاطع فيديو حصدت 40 مليون مشاهدة.. هل عُثر على سفينة نوح شرقي تركيا؟ (opens in a new tab)
Related entries
Referenced by
Added · Permalink /e/2026-scu-nas-durupinar-field-season/ · Back to timeline