If you grew up in a British primary school, then you've probably sung the Noah's Ark nursery rhyme, but if somehow you're not familiar with one of the oldest tales on Earth, then to sum it up, God instructed Noah to build an ark big enough to save his family, as well as two of every species of animal, as he planned to flood the Earth.
For some time now, scientists have been trying to prove that the Durupinar formation, a 538-foot geological structure in eastern Turkey, is proof that the religious tale actually happened. The site is close to the Turkey-Iran border and supposedly fits the dimensions of the ark from the Bible.
Late last year, researchers were finally able to decipher an ancient Babylonian artifact kept at the British Museum, which they believe serves as a map. The clay tablet lays out how Christians believe the world was created, and features an ancient Mesopotamian poem which says a man (potentially Noah) and his family landed an ark intended to preserve life.
This latest discovery only serves as further proof, as after collecting rock and soil samples from the site and sending them off for examination in Istanbul, it was revealed that they contained traces of clay-like materials, marine deposits, and seafood remnants, including molluscs.
And if Noah truly did manage to round up two of every single animal, then the tiny molluscs would also have had a ticket for the boat. Although they were probably so small that they could have just snuck on without paying.
Noah's Ark painted in a Milan church (Getty Images/Robtoz)
Experts were also able to put a rough date on this latest discovery, and suggest that the findings could be between 3500 and 5000 years old, which coincidentally is in what is known as the Chalcolithic period. Genesis says that the flood happened around 3300 BC, so the dates line up.
Lead researcher Dr. Faruk Kaya said: "According to the initial results, it's believed there were human activities in this region since the Chalcolithic period.
"An essential outcome of the symposium is the decision to conduct more research in Cudi and Ararat, known as the Mesopotamian region."
The researchers added: "Our studies show that this region harboured life in that period and that, at some point, it was covered by water, which reinforces the possibility that a catastrophic event of great magnitude occurred.
"The evidence suggests that the story might have a basis in reality."
