In a surprising twist to the ongoing search for Noah’s Ark, recent revelations have shown that the CIA has been keeping a close watch on the possible location of the legendary ship for more than 50 years.
A declassified CIA document has shed light on the agency’s secret efforts, which involved aerial and satellite surveillance of Mount Ararat in Turkey, the site believed by many to be the resting place of the Ark.
The document, titled “Report Re: Noah’s Ark,” details a covert investigation initiated in 1974 and lasting for nearly a decade.
The CIA’s aim was to gather evidence supporting the long-standing biblical story of Noah’s Ark, in which Noah is said to have built a massive ship to survive a Great Flood, saving himself, his family, and pairs of every animal species on Earth.
A Search for the Ark That Spanned from the Cold War to the 1980s
The CIA’s involvement in the search for the Ark began in earnest under the leadership of Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) William Colby, who was tasked with overseeing the operation.
In 1974, the CIA mobilized its resources, using U-2 spy planes and satellites to capture images of Mount Ararat and its surrounding area.
This was in response to a request from Lt. Col. Walter Brown of the U.S. Air Force, who had been tasked with finding any possible evidence of the Ark’s location.
Despite the extensive surveillance, the CIA reported “negative results” from the mission, with no tangible evidence found to support the Ark’s existence at the site.
However, this initial setback did not deter officials.
Over the next eight years, there were multiple requests from high-ranking government figures, including members of Congress and a former astronaut, all asking the CIA to look into the matter further.
In every case, the CIA’s answer remained the same: there was no evidence to suggest that Noah’s Ark was located at Mount Ararat.
New Scientific Discoveries Challenge the CIA’s Findings
While the CIA was busy dismissing the possibility of finding Noah’s Ark, recent scientific research has uncovered a different story.
A team of researchers from Istanbul Technical University, Agri Ibrahim Cecen University, and Andrews University in Michigan has been studying a mound near Mount Ararat, which some believe is the fossilized remains of the Ark.
These researchers, part of the Mount Ararat and Noah’s Ark Research Team, have presented compelling new evidence that challenges the CIA’s previous findings.
Soil and rock samples taken from the area have been dated to between 3,500 and 5,000 years old, which aligns with the timeline of the biblical flood.
The researchers also discovered traces of clay-like materials and marine deposits, suggesting that the area had once been submerged in water, further supporting the idea of a Great Flood.
During the 7th International Symposium on Mount Ararat and Noah’s Ark in 2023, the team presented their findings, which included new evidence that the mound could indeed be the remnants of Noah’s Ark.
This discovery adds to the growing body of evidence that suggests the Ark may be located in this region of Turkey.
The CIA’s Continued Secrecy and Unanswered Questions
Despite the new evidence emerging from these scientific studies, the CIA has continued to withhold information about the images and findings it gathered during its long search.
The declassified documents from the agency reveal that, even in 1994, the CIA continued to refuse requests for access to the photos taken of Mount Ararat, citing the classification of the materials.
It remains unclear whether the CIA ever gathered more images of the area after 1974 or if they deemed the earlier surveillance sufficient.
The agency’s ongoing secrecy surrounding the matter raises questions about what they may have known but chose not to disclose.
The Search for Noah’s Ark Continues
While the CIA’s role in the search for Noah’s Ark has largely been a mystery, the work of scientists continues.
The Mount Ararat and Noah’s Ark Research Team has emphasized the need for further study of the site, arguing that the structure found in Turkey could very well be the Ark described in the Bible.
As for the CIA, the full extent of its involvement in the search remains unclear, and what it may have discovered decades ago could remain hidden for years to come.
For now, the search for Noah’s Ark continues, with both researchers and the public eager to uncover the truth behind this ancient biblical legend.