Is This The Tomb Of Noah? -- By: Gary A. Byers
Journal: Bible and Spade (Second Run)
Volume: BSPADE 11:3 (Summer 1998)
Article: Is This The Tomb Of Noah?
Author: Gary A. Byers
BSP 11:3 (Summer 1998) p. 57
Is This The Tomb Of Noah?
After 20 years of research, a modern-day explorer recently made an adventurous solo incursion into remote southeastern Turkey searching for the facts and remains of Noah and his Ark. Reminiscent of a 19th century explorer, Dr. Charles Willis traversed a region kept in turmoil by renegade local terrorist groups. Here Willis believes he located and photographed for the first time the tomb of Noah.
A veteran explorer to the region and a neuropsy chiatrist by trade, Willis has led four expeditions up Mt. Ararat, the traditional site of the landing of Noah’s Ark. Yet, the results of his investigation on that mountain, as well as years of research into historical sources, suggested to him that Ararat is not the mountain of Noah or the Ark.
Willis with his team at Mt. Ararat, where his investigation with radar, ice drill and trenching operations produced no evidence.
Furthermore, Willis does not believe the Ark is even intact. Noting the great time period since the event, the harsh topography, geology and meteorology of the region, and the Ark being a natural source of building material for generations, Willis does not expect to find any major portions still intact. Furthermore, despite all the reports of sightings, none have been substantiated by later exploration/investigation. “Those who continue to look for the Ark on Ararat are looking in the wrong place for the wrong thing,” Willis said.
His research suggests the mountain known today as Mt. Cudi is the best candidate for the Ark landing and the subsequent settlement of Noah and his family. Here, too, he believes Noah died and was buried. Called by different names over the years, including Mt. Ararat, Mt. Judi, Mt. Nisir, Mt. Nipir and Mt. Lubar, it is neither as high as Ararat nor as snow covered and treacherous most of the year. It was on this mountain’s Ark plateau in 1953, a few miles from the
BSP 11:3 (Summer 1998) p. 58
site Willis believes is Noah’s tomb, that German professor Friedrich Bender discovered pieces of wood he believed came from Noah’s Ark. The samples carbon-dated to 4500 BC.
Facade of Noah’s tomb on Mt Cudi in southeast Turkey, according to Dr. Charles Willis.
The Ark is not the real focus of Willis’ exploration. Evidence of Noah and his family in their post-Flood community is where Willis is concentrating. The structure he is looking for is the tomb of Father Noah, as Willis likes to refer to the ancient mariner. “After all,” Willis said, “the who...
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