NOAH’S ARK RIDDLE

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29264, 23 July 1960, Page 10

NOAH’S ARK RIDDLE

New Findings

Inconclusive The latest search for Noah’s Ark has ended with the findings “inconclusive,” says the “Christ tian Science Monitor.” Dr. Arthur J. Brandenberger has returned to his post at Ohio State University after leading an expedition to a mountainous area in Turkey. He had led a team of photographers, archaeologists, and cartographers to a formation 20 miles south of the 17,000 foot peak of Mt. Ararat The searchers found either a freak of nature or a man-made formation. Dr. Brandenberger reported that the team left the scene after two days of preliminary investigation certain they had neither proven nor disproven the existence of the ark, and that further probing is necessary. The photogrammetry report added: “If nature has done that, then it is an extremely amazing exception.”

Dr. Brandenberger and his party, sponsored by the Archaeological Research ' Foundation, Inc., of Washington, found the formation, first revealed by an aerial photo, at an altitude of 7000 feet. The measurements made from the aerial photo were confirmed by actual ground measurements—-500. feet in’ length, 160 feet in width, with Walls as high as 20 feet. Speculation that the formation was due to the remains of.the ark originated in Turkey, Dr. Brandenberger said. Many scientists wonder whether the ark existed, he said. Some believe it,is legend. And, if the ark did exist, it was 5000 years ago.- Wood would have disintegrated in the humid climate.

What was found was the form, presenting one of the “big guesses.” Dr. Brandenberger said. “The problem remains—if we should dig deep enough would we be able to find remains?” He added:. “We left the scene with the question unsolved whether it was artificial or natural. Sooner or later, other people will investigate, dig deep enough to find more clues.” The area is volcanic and subject to landslides. The walls were soft “The first impression is that th'e formation is artificial,” the scientist said. “Whether natural or artificial, it still is not clear.”