Declassified CIA Documents Reveal the U.S. Government’s Secret Search for Noah’s Ark

For centuries, historians, archaeologists, and religious scholars have been fascinated by the story of Noah’s Ark. According to the Bible, Noah built a massive ship under God’s command to save his family and a pair of each animal species from a catastrophic flood. However, no physical evidence of the Ark has ever been found—until now, perhaps.

Recent scientific discoveries and newly unearthed CIA documents suggest that the U.S. government has been secretly searching for the Ark for over 50 years.

Scientists have recently declared that a boat-shaped mound, located 18 miles south of Mount Ararat in modern day Turkey (formerly Western Armenia), may be the fossilized remains of a massive vessel. Their research, based on soil analysis, revealed traces of clay-like materials, marine deposits, and remnants of ancient marine life. These findings indicate that this region was once covered by water, which supports the possibility of a historical flood event.

The research was conducted by a team of experts from Istanbul Technical University, Agri Ibrahim Cecen University, and Andrews University in the United States. According to their statement, “Our studies show that this region harbored 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.”

While this scientific discovery is groundbreaking, a recently uncovered CIA document suggests that U.S. intelligence agencies have known about this site for decades. A four-page report titled “Report Re: Noah’s Ark” details how the CIA secretly searched for the Ark’s location for nearly ten years, beginning in the 1950s. The agency used satellite imagery and spy planes to scan Mount Ararat and surrounding areas for signs of the legendary ship.

Declassified CIA files reveal that the U.S. government has been interested in this exact location since at least 1957. Between 1974 and 1982, the CIA ramped up its efforts, using high-resolution images from surveillance aircraft and satellites. The Director of Central Intelligence personally requested that the agency investigate any potential evidence of Noah’s Ark.

One notable figure involved in this effort was Lt. Col. Walter Brown, a high-ranking U.S. Air Force official. According to reports, Brown urged the CIA to develop advanced technology specifically designed to analyze satellite images of Mount Ararat in search of the Ark’s remains.

Despite decades of investigation, the U.S. government has continuously denied that it possesses any evidence proving the Ark’s existence. Multiple Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for the release of satellite photos taken during the CIA’s search have been rejected. Officials have cited national security concerns as the reason for keeping these images classified.

The refusal to release these documents has fueled speculation that the government may know more than it is willing to admit. Some researchers believe the classified photos might contain undeniable proof of a man-made structure hidden beneath Mount Ararat’s rugged terrain.

The discovery of fossilized marine remains at the suspected Ark site lends credibility to the biblical account of a great flood. If further excavations confirm that the structure is indeed an ancient vessel, it could be one of the most significant archaeological finds in history.

However, the lingering question remains: Has the CIA already uncovered this evidence and chosen to keep it secret? Much like the Ark of the Covenant, another biblical artifact shrouded in mystery, the true story behind Noah’s Ark may never be fully revealed.

The story of Noah's Ark landing on Mount Ararat comes from the Bible, specifically Genesis 8:4, which states that "the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat." For Armenians, this biblical reference is deeply significant, as Mount Ararat has long been considered a national symbol and a sacred mountain, despite being located in present-day Turkey.

Mount Ararat has been a central figure in Armenian culture, history, and national identity for thousands of years. It is not just a geographical landmark; it is deeply woven into Armenian heritage, folklore, and religious beliefs.

The first historically recorded kingdom to control Mount Ararat was Urartu (circa 9th–6th century BCE). Urartu was a powerful civilization in the Armenian Highlands, centered around Lake Van and extending into what is now modern Armenia. The name “Urartu” itself is closely linked to the Biblical “Ararat,” as Assyrian inscriptions refer to the region as Uruatri or Urartu. The Kingdom of Urartu played a crucial role in shaping early Armenian civilization, language, and cultural traditions.

For Armenians, Mount Ararat is more than just a biblical site—it is the heart of the nation’s historical and spiritual identity. Many ancient Armenian manuscripts, religious texts, and oral traditions reinforce the belief that Noah and his descendants settled in the Armenian Highlands after the flood, marking the region as the cradle of civilization. Even today, the Armenian Apostolic Church embraces the Noah’s Ark story as part of its historical narrative, symbolizing rebirth and divine protection.

Although Mount Ararat is currently within Turkish borders due to the Armenian Genocide, it remains the national symbol of Armenia, appearing on the Armenian coat of arms and in countless works of Armenian literature, art, and music. The Noah’s Ark connection further strengthens the Armenian people's deep-rooted ties to this sacred mountain, making it a powerful emblem of survival, faith, and cultural endurance.