Our
team is caught in a cycle. For several years, Turkish authorities have not allowed
Ark researchers to explore Mount Ararat. Each year in October Ark Research Project
begins plans for an August expedition. In June, after permits are denied, we are
forced to reevaluate the trip and cancel our plans. This pattern has repeated each
of the past five years. All research groups are facing the same scrutiny as world
conditions remain unsettled. With the current US-Iraq situation, Turkey, a US ally
begins to brace for uncertain times. According to Adam Entous (US Offers
Turkey Big Aid Package for Help, Feb 15, 2003 WASHINGTON (Reuters))
30,000 US troops will be stationed in Turkey to protect the country from a possible war
with Iraq. Not only could the US troops protect the Turkish border, but could also
provide an excellent layer of protect for US researchers looking for the Ark. Ark
Research Project is planning an expedition for August 2003. We know that God is our
ultimate Protector and according to His timetable and His plans, the Ark will be
revealed. Even though our plans have been canceled in the past, arrangements,
agreements and face-to-face meetings must still occur with Turkish authorities to ensure
future expeditions on the mountain. See From the Director to
learn more about our continuing efforts to arrange talks with Turkish authorities, to fund
an expedition and prepare for this awesome task this August.
However, the lack of action on the mountain pales to the research
and study here at home. This is evident from the summary that John McIntosh, Ark
Research Project Director of Mountain Research, has provided in this newsletter.
For the past five months, he and 50 other researchers have scrutinized alleged
claims of Noah's Ark locations. This wonderful collaboration of several
knowledgeable researchers has produced results which have reduced suspect search areas and
correlated several pieces of loose information.
And despite all obstacles, we will continue to press forward
towards our goal, the Glory of God and the revelation of His Ark to the world. As
indicated previously, we will only produce a newsletter when news becomes available.
We will keep you posted with any new developments.
Matthew Kneisler
THE NOAH'S ARK RESEARCH/DISCUSSION GROUP: A SUMMARY OF
PROGRESS
Since October of this year, a email research/discussion group of 30
to 50 researchers has been investigating and reviewing claimed sightings of Noah's Ark and
other related information.
Originally, there was an exchange of ideas, dialogue and information
regarding any and all the material relating to the Noah's Ark search. After a period
of time, the focus of the group became centered on one of the most credible and detailed
claimed Noah's Ark accounts: the Ed Davis account. Ed claimed to be taken to the Ark by
local mountain people in 1943. One of the first problems addressed in regard to Ed Davis
was the issue of which mountain was he taken to. It had generally been assumed that he saw
the remains of the Ark on Turkey's Mount Ararat also called Agri Dagh. However, since many
years of research and investigation on Ararat had produced no Ark, some began to wonder if
Ed might have seen the Ark on another mountain. Consequently,
this became one of the first problems for the research group to tackle.
Another researcher, Bob Cornuke, had already independently
investigated this matter and produced a book titled: The Lost Mountains of Noah. From his
research, Bob had concluded that it was very likely that Ed saw the Ark on Mount Sabalon
located in northwest Iran. Our group began studying and critiquing the information in
Bob's book.
We found much supportive information in Cornuke's research which
indicated that Ed might have gone to Mount Sabalon. Our group scrutinized the details in
the Ed Davis account. Using a transcript of Ed's account made at the 1986 Arkathon
Conference in New Mexico and other published information regarding the account, we found
special details that convinced most of us that Ed was on Turkey's Mount Ararat and not on
the Iranian Mount Sabalon. Some of this convincing information included special features
presently only known to be on Ararat such as: the identification of Jacob's Well, a grave
site on the east side of the Ahora Gorge, the Lawrence of Arabia cave on the West side of
the Gorge, two other caves Ed stayed in within the Gorge and a statement made to Ed by
Abas about one of the mountain trails above the Ark site leading (back down) to
Turkey.
We also investigated the possibility of Mount Damavand northeast of
Tehran being the mountain Ed was taken to. However, compelling evidence for Turkey's Mount Ararat and inadequate evidence for Damavand
led us to limit and concentrate our search for the Ed Davis "Ark Canyon" to
Turkey's Mount Ararat.
We made a list of 20 significant details in the Ed Davis account to
guide our search for the "Ark Canyon" on Ararat. Most of the researchers felt
that the caves Ed had stayed in were in the Ahora Gorge and other details strongly
indicated that the remains of the Ark Ed was taken to were in the Gorge. One researcher
held to his belief that Ed was taken to the east summit peak. Researchers were encouraged
to study available photos of the Gorge and the mountain (a hundred or more photos were
shared by email) and to present their choice or choices for a possible "Ark
Canyon" along with supportive information, including information from our list of 20
significant details. We examined and critiqued the material presented.
This process has eliminated a good number of the sites that were
previously presented for consideration and it has left us with a handful of sites that
need further investigation. None of the sites show a conclusive Ark like structure that
matches what Ed Davis claims to have seen. It is very likely that what Ed saw is now
completely or almost completely buried. Most of us are convinced that the Ed Davis
"Ark Canyon" must be situated near or along the back wall of the Gorge, since
the ice cap was noted by Ed to be above him and above the back wall of the horse shoe
shaped canyon that both he and the Ark were in. Our research/discussion group hopes to
continue to research the Ed Davis "Ark Canyon" as we gain new information and
additional photo views of of the mountain, more specifically of the Ahora Gorge.
I think that all of the researchers that have been involved in the
Noah's Ark Research/Discussion group have benefited greatly from this combined effort. A
huge amount of material and information has been exchanged. I think all of us have
significantly increased and deepened our knowledge of the Ark search, potential sites and
have become acquainted with a huge amount of 'new' Ark research related
information. We have not found and conclusively identified the Ark, but we have a much
better idea of where to look and where not to look.
Sketch of the Ed Davis Ark Canyon produced by
Elfred Lee in 1986 under the direction of Ed Davis.
Copied below is a slightly modified list of 20 significant details we
feel are important in trying to identify the Ed Davis "Ark canyon".( Original
list compiled by Rick Lanser & John McIntosh)
- Moving glaciers would be highly likely to have done lasting damage to the ark. So it is
probably not in moving ice, but anchored immovably.
- We are looking at a place where there is a waterfall. (Unlikely to be true on the ice
cap itself at any time.)
- There are too many reports of alleged eyewitnesses who needed no special climbing
equipment - young Hagopian, old Abas-Abas, etc. So the approach to the proper site cannot
get too vertical, nor involve any significant movement across ice. The sheer vertical
walls on the west side of the Ahora Gorge look impossible for non-technical climbers
(unless there are trails we cannot see).
- The site has to be at least 3/4 of the way up the mountain (per Yearam, see below, and
consistent with 3-4 days Davis took to climb).
- It MUST be near the edge of the normal permanent snow line, since it is usually covered.
In the Davis transcript, an avalanche was said to cover part of it, and the Abas family
was said to purposely dislodge snow and rock onto the Ark to keep it covered when needed.
A likely "avalanche edge" must be above the proper site.
- It must be close to a dome-like "Doomsday Rock."
- The spot must be outside the area destroyed in the 1840 explosion.
- An "inverted fishhook" or "horseshoe" shape is repeatedly mentioned.
- Ark is said to rest in a small valley with a possible lake in which the Ark is partly
submerged.
- Small peaks are mentioned in proximity to the site.
- Ed's route took him by Jacob's Well, grave site and the Lawrence Cave.
- Just before beginning some steep climbing (2nd or 3rd day) he arrived at a point where
he could look over toward the Ark site-but could not go that way. And then he had to
climb up to his right (he thought west), circling up and counterclockwise around a large
rocky hill like feature (pinnacle?) in order to reach the horse shoe canyon that the Ark
was in.
- He entered the horse shoe canyon from the right side (which he thought was the west
side) where he was able to squeeze behind and past Doomsday Rock on a narrow trail.
- He was able to go a little past Doomsday Rock to observe the Ark and also return to the
Rock and view the Ark from a view point at its base.
- From these view points you can look down 60 to 100 feet to see the two pieces of the
Ark.
- There are supposed to be well traveled trails above this canyon, possibly hundreds or
even a thousand feet above.
- He felt the side of the canyon that he was on had a general north-south orientation with
water flowing over the north end.
- He estimated the canyon to be as much as 2,000 to 3,000 feet wide and over 3,000 feet
long. It is suspected that these are overly big estimates due to cloudy and foggy
conditions.
- There is a high back wall forming the back of the horse shoe which appeared to go up
hundreds of feet to the ice cap.
- Looking out of the horse shoe canyon (toward the north Ed thought), occasionally there
could be seen an icy point or peak-like feature up behind his left shoulder. He felt east
was on his right and west was on his left. He thought at night, lights from Tehran
(probably Yeravan if on Ararat-my opinion) could be seen looking north out of the canyon.
He felt the morning sun seemed to be in the clouds on his right and the late afternoon
clouds-sun was on his left.
John McIntosh
Director of Mountain Research
YOUR THOUGHTS
Words of encouragement, shared interest and enthusiasm are great ways to share your
thoughts with us. However, due to the volume of email, it is nearly impossible to
"personally" respond to all letters. If you would like a response from
your email, please let us know and we will try our best to do so accordingly. Here
are a few letters straight and mostly unedited from you:
- May the Lord bless you, ...in this
effort. I believe that what you are doing is truly inspired by God to spread the Word in
these latter days. Not that we, the believer, need a sign, we certainly do not. But God,
being so gracious and merciful, may be giving the world one more
chance to repent. As you pointed out, the presence of the Ark presents a very difficult
problem for the evolutionist. NB
- You are a little late. The ark was found, documented and
scientifically determined to be "The Noah's Ark", between 1976 and 1998. Also
found was Sodom and Gomorrah, The Red Sea Crossing, Mt. Sinai and the Ark of the Covenant.
TH
- Hello! I just thought I would drop you a line and congratulate you on an incredible
site. I am amazed, and look forward to spending alot of time in here! You have put some
fascinating things in here and have aroused my interest 100%. Well done and good luck on
further attempts! God Bless :) MG
- Hello I just
finished browsing your website. I think it is very interesting and educational I would
like to visit the mountain. Is it actually posable? I don't not understand why
pictures cannot be taken of the Ark? I would like to tell you again that you truly have an
amazing website!!! Thank You O
- What has developed as a result of the anticipated August expidition? May
God bless your efforts. Thank you. BO
- I just came across your site and have thus far found it to be the most complete in your
coverage of what has been happening in the search for the Ark. I have just recently
started looking into this myself (primarily as background information for a novel that I
will be writing soon) and appreciate your thoroughness. DW
- I always get such a chuckle at how some of YOU PEOPLE will completely abandon common
sense and reason and simply insist on continuing to howl at the moon... or the ark, in
this case. I was somewhat disappointed to not find anywhere on your site that all of this
is merely one man's opinion and that there is in fact NO credible evidence that there is
or ever was any such ark. Fairy Tales are nice, but when we become adults we should put
away such childish things and behave like adults... RD
- I was truly happy when I stumbled upon your web site as I search for information on the
Flood incident as my Old Testament teacher calls it. I am currently attending New York
Theological Seminary certificate program in NYC. I am writing a paper on teaching the
Flood Incident. This information was very helpful. thank you and God blessing in continue
success. H
- Thankyou for an incredible website and information on Noah's Ark and the explorations
and more.
I have been reading and I get so excited of the ark being proved to be there, on Mt.
Ararat and someone taking pictures and the world seeing its true.
I would love to be able to see it myself and stand inside it. How incredible!!! If it
would ever be possible. RW
- We must rememeber that even though the Ark maybe found someday this will not change many
peoples hearts toward God. Just like the rich man and Lazerous. The Lord said why he would
not send back someone to his family was that, they had the law and the prophets as their
witness. May God be glorified if he so chooses to reveal the Ark in coming years and may
he use it for his own purpose and timing. DA
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Ark Research Project (ARP)
filed applications with the Turkish Embassy for this year’s expedition to Mount
Ararat (Agri Dagi) for August-September. This
year will be my 12th year in the search for the Ark. The search has been filled with many trials and
tribulations while we have seen much progress in obtaining our goal.
ARP’s commitment and purpose remains
the same, to use the discovery for a world-wide witness of the soon return of our Lord and
Savior. To accomplish this task will
demand a very high technical and professional effort.
ARP will attempt to utilize all of the available technology to produce a
very high quality and professional documentary. To
accomplish this, ARP has added three very well qualified, professional, and experienced video technicians to aid in
accomplishing our purpose.
A new government has been elected in
Turkey. All of the ministries and agencies
have newly elected officials. In order to
obtain the necessary government permits, I will have to negotiate with these newly elected
officials. ARP has three Turkish members on
the team; one who is a professional geologist with the other a professional educator with
experience on the mountain. This gives
ARP credibility with the Turkish Government. We
desire a joint effort to accomplish the task.
Some of you have expressed a desire to help
in this effort. We certainly could use your
daily prayers for our success. I have to
travel to Ankara ,Turkey this year to meet with the officials for permits. ARP has a need for some short term financing in
order to accomplish our goals for this year; especially travel to Turkey. I am asking our supporters to prayerfully consider
making a contribution so we can meet our goal to generate the necessary permits. We are a tax-exempt organization and contributors will receive
a tax-exempt receipt from our business manager. In order to make a contribution to ARP, make a check out to ARP and send to:
ARK Research Project
107 Buckingham Drive
Lynchburg, VA 24502
I would like to thank each of you for your
interest, prayers and support of our effort. We
understand that all of this depends on the timing of our Lord. It is His project and are dependent on His
provision with the help of His people.
As events take place this year, ARP will
keep you updated on our progress through the newsletter.
On behalf of our team, let me thank each of you for your assistance in this
project. What a glorious day that will be
when we discover the Ark and make it available to the world.
You may be interested in some of our goals
in this effort. Tradition says that Noah
brought the bones of Adam with him on the Ark. Could
you imagine if that turns out to be true and we find his ossuary with his bones and one
rib missing. Another traditions says that
Noah’s written records were also brought with him on the Ark. There is sufficient technology available that will
aid us in locating this if it is hidden somewhere in the Ark. I believe that God instructed Noah to hide away
some of these artifacts so that it will add to the proof of the Ark’s existence and
that there was a pre-flood world.
This is an example of what we are trying to
accomplish. The world is very skeptical and
unbelieving and will demand documented evidence and that is the reason for our project. We wish to bring as many to Christ through this
project as possible. That is the goal that
drives our team.
Respectfully in Christ,
Prof. James L. Hall, Director
ARP
OTHER NEWS
And if you are interested in becoming one of our Prayer Partners, please email John McIntosh
and express your interest in helping us through prayer.
THE WEB
Ark Research Project
The Search For Noah's Ark :
Matthew Kneisler
Noah's Ark Research :
Rex Geissler
Mission
Noah : Michael Holt
The Genesis Flood :
Tom Pickett
ArcImaging
Detailed Research on the Logistics
of Noah's Ark : John Woodmorappe
THE PURPOSE
Ark Research Project was an officially recognized United States organization in February
1998, when it received non-profit tax-exempt status from the IRS. The organizational
purpose is to, "conduct research into locating the legendary Noah's Ark of the
Bible. The revelation of the existence of such an archaeological and religious
object would be of utmost scientific, religious, and educational value to the people of
the United States and the World."
The Ark Research Project team is planning an expedition to Mount Ararat in northeastern
Turkey in 2003. Ark Research Team members are listed below.
- James Hall : Director
- Yavuz Konca: Co-director of Mountain Research
- Orhan Baser : Consultant & Mountaineer
- John T. McIntosh : Director of Mountain Research
- Tim Mills : Mountaineer & Financial Consultant
- Matthew Kneisler : Remote Sensing Coordinator & Mountaineer
- Tom Engleman : Director Media and Video
- Michael Holt : Mountaineer
- Olcay Balitatli : Permit Coordinator
- James Lee : Business Manager
- Rick Hatch : Director of Photography Operations
- Dr.
Emidio Novembre : Physician
- Ian Shirey : Mountaineer
- Glen Pinson : Director of Mountaineering Team
- Edith Pinson : Mountaineer
- Zachary Smith: Mountaineer
- Daniel Bathurst: Media Technician
- Doug Kruse: Media Technician
- Ken Spencer: Media Technician
There
are others who have contributed as consultants. Their invaluable help and service
are greatly appreciated. Special thanks to: Dr. John Morris (Geologist), Rex
Geissler (Publisher), Ray Anderson (Researcher), Dr. Salih Baraktutan (Geologist), BJ
Corbin (Researcher), and others.
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