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SAT. 10/07/2000

Mt. Ararat and Noah's Ark?

This morning we left Van and headed out on the highway, traveling northeast towards the town of Dogubayazit, the closest city to Mount Ararat.  Formed over 10,000 years ago by volcanic eruption, at just over 17,000 feet Mt. Ararat is the highest point in Turkey.  As we came into the Ararat region, the lava-filled landscape was quite alien, and spectacular.

Because of terrorist activity in Eastern Turkey, the military presence is quite visible, and vigilant.  DP Tufan Turanli and our fearless driver Ahmet present our paperwork and permits to the local commander.  They are friendly, and thorough, and take down our information and join us for a chat as we videotape.

In the background is Mt. Ararat.  When we set up our camera to videotape the snow and ice-capped peak, these children climbed up from the village below, whose name means "pure rock."

Further down the road we stopped to videotape Mt. Ararat from another angle.  We've been told that this summer was the warmest in a long time, and coupled with low levels of precipitation, has caused the ever-present ice cap to shrink to its smallest size in 60 years.  (left to right - Berta, Tufan, Zeynep, Tod)

There's actually a sign on the highway that says "Noah's Boat."  The location is some 25 kilometers south of Mt. Ararat, atop a small mountain named Cudi, pronounced  "judy" in Turkish.  Zeynep is fossil hunting; she actually found one in the roadside gravel.  Because these materials come from all over, the only conclusion we drew from this find is that Zeynep either has a great eye, or is really lucky.....

This is the boat-shaped object at what is known as the Durupinar site that many people believe is what remains of the Ark of Noah.  Some people categorically deny it could be anything other than a natural geological formation.  Others think it requires further study. 

Hassan has been living at the Durupinar site since 1985, and has seen scores of investigators come to the site.  The Turkish government constructed a small octagonal visitors center.  Hassan tells us he has on average 10 to 30 visitors a day, and a glance at the guest book showed a veritable UN's worth of countries of origin, and as wide an array of opinion about the site.

In 1986 researchers drilled into the side of the formation and took a sample.  Hassan told us the sample was found to contain petrified wood and ancient nails.  Once back in the U.S., we'll be trying to track down the samples, and the laboratory test results.

Sunset brought a pink glow to snow cover and the cloud resting above Mt. Ararat.   Tomorrow we plan to drive as close to it as we can, and hike up as high as we can.  Odds are strong we won't make it to the top.....