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A centuries-old map has stunned researchers after viewers spotted a striking detail linked to the long-running search for Noah's Ark.
02:31, Thu, May 28, 2026 Updated: 02:31, Thu, May 28, 2026
Interest in the site has intensified in recent years (Image: -)
A 440-year-old world map is fuelling fresh debate over the possible resting place of Noah’s Ark after researchers spotted a striking hidden detail buried within the artwork.
The giant map, created by Italian cartographer Urbano Monte in 1587, appears to show the biblical vessel resting high in the mountains of Ararat in modern-day Turkey.
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That same region has become the focus of decades of speculation surrounding the mysterious Durupınar Formation, a massive boat-shaped site long claimed by some researchers to be linked to Noah’s Ark.
The renewed fascination comes because the Book of Genesis states the Ark came to rest on the “mountains of Ararat” after the Great Flood.
Why are researchers linking the ancient map to Noah’s Ark?
Online researchers were quick to notice similarities between Monte’s illustration and the location of the Durupınar site in eastern Turkey.
Independent researcher Jimmy Corsetti wrote online: “The same location as the Durupinar site, virtually the exact same length. Coincidence?”
The formation lies around 18 miles south of Mount Ararat and has attracted international attention since the mid-20th century.
According to local reports, the unusual shape emerged more clearly after severe weather and earthquakes struck the area in 1948, leading to claims that the site resembled the outline of a giant ship.
Supporters of the theory often point to biblical measurements describing Noah’s Ark as 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide and 30 cubits high — dimensions commonly estimated at roughly 515 feet by 86 feet.
Some researchers believe the Durupınar Formation broadly mirrors those proportions.
What have recent scans of the Durupınar site found?
Interest in the area intensified again after the Noah’s Ark Scans research group began surveying the site using modern radar and thermal imaging technology.
According to a report by the Daily Mail, the team recently claimed underground scans revealed unusual voids and structured spaces beneath the surface.
Researcher Andrew Jones said ground-penetrating radar appeared to show a pattern of corridors leading towards a larger hollow area below the earth.
“What’s interesting is that these voids are lining up below the ground, and they’re not just random,” he told GB News.
“These tunnels also follow a pattern. GPR is just a way to look below the soil using radar.”
Jones also claimed infrared thermography scans suggested a large ship-like shape could be buried underground.
However, many scientists and geologists continue to argue the formation is a naturally occurring geological structure and that there is still no conclusive evidence Noah’s Ark has ever been found.
Jones said further studies using infrared thermography had also suggested the presence of a ship (Image: Noah's Ark Scans)
Why is the Urbano Monte map so unusual?
Monte’s enormous Planisphere was produced during a period when European explorers were rapidly expanding the known map of the world.
Unlike many maps from the 1500s, the work was designed from a viewpoint above the North Pole, placing the Arctic region at the centre.
The map itself was created across 60 separate sheets which can be combined into a huge circular image measuring almost 10 feet wide.
It features detailed sketches of ships, sea creatures and distant lands, reflecting how Europeans viewed the wider world during the Age of Exploration.
Historians believe Monte became fascinated with global geography after a Japanese delegation visited Milan in the 1580s.
Today, the original map is preserved at Stanford University’s David Rumsey Map Center, where it has been digitally restored for public viewing online.
English (US) · 