The Turkish Ministry of Culture Has Launched an Investigation of the ‘Ark Hunters’

Here’s the story.

Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism has launched an investigation into claims by a research team named Noah’s Ark Ministries International that they have found Noah’s Ark.

They’ll most likely find them guilty of fraud. Because it is fraud.

The Hong-Kong-based team claimed earlier this week that they have found the remains of Noah’s Ark on Mount Ağrı in eastern Turkey. The ministry has also initiated an investigation into state officials of the province of Ağrı, including Deputy Governor Murat Güven, Provincial Tourism Director Muhsin Bulut and an official from the district governor’s office in Doğubeyazıt, who were present at the press conference in Hong Kong where the explorers made their finding public.

And

“A statement was made from abroad, claiming that Noah’s Ark has been found. There were Turkish state officials present when the statement was made. We are investigating the technical and legal aspects of the issue. How did these objects get there [to Hong Kong] and under whose authority were the officials present there? We are investigating this,” Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay said.

Read the whole thing… on one hand they want to be careful but on the other they seem to want to leave the door open for further searches (since it doubtless makes them a bit of money from tourists and permit buyers).

With thanks to Eric Cline for telling me about it.