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10/13/2020 Archaeologist Responds: Do Prehistoric Sites on Mount Ararat Represent Noah's Ark? | Jan 18, 2013 - ReleaseWire
www.releasewire.com/press-releases/archaeologist-responds-do-prehistoric-sites-on-mount-ararat-represent-noahs-ark-196023.htm 1/3
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Archaeologist discusses the association between recently discovered prehistoric sites on Mount Ararat and the account of
Noah’s Ark in the Torah (Old Testament) and Quran.
Miami, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/18/2013 --Beginning in 2010, Dr. Joel Klenck, Harvard University educated archaeologist and
president of the archaeological contract rm PRC, Inc., surveyed prehistoric sites on Mount Ararat in eastern Anatolia and
analyzed their material assemblages. These sites are associated with the Biblical and Quranic accounts of Noah’s Ark by
several religious organizations. Here, the archaeologist discusses if the prehistoric sites represent the remains of the
legendary Noah’s Ark.
Klenck states, “In essence, the association between the prehistoric sites on Mount Ararat and Noah’s Ark involves two
questions. The rst question is whether the archaeological features on Mount Ararat correlate with aspects of the various
accounts of Noah’s Ark in the Torah (Old Testament), Quran, and other sightings in history? My answer to this question: Yes.
The monumental wood structure and its artifacts correlate nicely with Ark stories and comprise a three-story structure,
made of mostly cypress wood, with an array of botanical remains including wild grains and legumes. The site possesses an
archaeological assemblage of great antiquity with architectural features exhibiting coats of pitch, walls angling outward,
mortise-and-tenon features, cross-beams at all levels of construction, with animal dung in the interior of the edice. The
origins of the site are from the Late Epipaleolithic (13,100 to 9,600 B.C.) / Pre-Pottery Neolithic A (9,600-8,500 B.C.) transition
or the change from the Stone Age to the beginning of agricultural communities. Modern science had determined that this
period associates with a transition from the Younger Dryas, a cool and dry period, to a very wet ‘pluvial’ period where sea
levels increased throughout the world, several land masses such as Doggerland were covered with water, and deserts such
as the Sahara and Atacama exhibited rivers and lakes.”
The archaeologist comments: “As most secular scholars believe the Torah was written between the twelfth and fth
centuries B.C. and the Quran during the seventh century, historians from these periods cannot be maligned for believing
the monumental wood structure on Mount Ararat was a maritime construction. Having been inside the edice, it is
understandable that past visitors believed this site to be an ancient barge. Mortise-and-tenon features, cypress wood,
angled walls, cross beams at dierent elevations, and coats of pitch or bitumen are familiar traits in early maritime
constructions.”
The archaeologist notes, “The second question, is more expansive: Did Noah’s Ark actually occur—with the worldwide ood
covering the highest mountains, doves and a raven, pairs of every animal, and only Noah and his family surviving a global
deluge?”
Here, Klenck is more guarded: “This is a very incendiary question. If I answer ‘yes’, nearly every secular scientist and most of
my colleagues will be upset because they believe the legend of Noah’s Ark has no historical ecacy and will be predisposed
to ignore these archaeological sites. If I answer ‘no’, then many adherents of the world’s three major religions of Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam will be upset because they believe in the veracity of Noah’s Ark. My answer: Render to science what
is science’s and to G-d what is G-d’s. The archaeological artifacts and features from the prehistoric sites on Ararat should be
conserved and analyzed according to the best scientic methodologies because of their preservation, antiquity, and
importance to understanding the Epipaleolithic / Neolithic transition—or change from the Stone Age to the advent of
farming. Conversely, religious communities should be apprised of the scientic analyses from the sites because these
prehistoric sites on Mount Ararat are important to the beliefs of many peoples. The scientic community should be careful
to analyze the remains on Mount Ararat as free from prejudice as possible.”
10/13/2020 Archaeologist Responds: Do Prehistoric Sites on Mount Ararat Represent Noah's Ark? | Jan 18, 2013 - ReleaseWire
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The archaeologist concludes, “The prehistoric sites on Mount Ararat fulll a dual role: they comprise a search for scientic
knowledge and a foundation for religious beliefs. The two communities—of science and faith—should work together to
maximize the understanding of these wonderful archaeological sites.”
About PRC, Inc.
Founded in 2007, PRC, Inc. provides comprehensive worldwide archaeological services including surveys, excavations, and
research.
Joel Klenck
President
PRC, Inc.
786-277-4844
Email | Web | Prole
10/13/2020 Archaeologist Responds: Do Prehistoric Sites on Mount Ararat Represent Noah's Ark? | Jan 18, 2013 - ReleaseWire
www.releasewire.com/press-releases/archaeologist-responds-do-prehistoric-sites-on-mount-ararat-represent-noahs-ark-196023.htm 3/3
Source: PRC, Inc.
Posted Friday, January 18, 2013 at 4:59 PM CST - Permalink
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