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Satellite Search Underway For Noah's Ark
Space.com ^
| 8-30-2002
| Leonard David
Posted on 08/31/2002 7:15:41 PM PDT by blam
Satellite Search Underway For Noah's Ark
By Leonard David
Senior Space Writer
posted: 07:40 am ET
30 August 2002
A puzzling mountain-side object in Turkey is the target of a hide-and-seek game of biblical proportions.
The high-flying and super-powerful commercial QuickBird satellite has begun snapping imagery of Mount Ararat in eastern Turkey - in a quest to spot the possible remains of what is believed to be Noah's Ark.
Aircraft pictures taken in the late 1940s, as well as more recent secret spy satellite shots of the area do show something odd - a bit of strangeness that has earned the title of the "Ararat Anomaly".
QuickBird 2 satellite will use its super-powerful camera system to image Mt. Ararat in search for remains of Noah's ark. credit: EarthWatch Inc.
DigitalGlobe's powerful QuickBird satellite is cranking out ultra close-up imagery of Earth targets. As example, this picture shows the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France -- taken March 27, 2002-- and demonstrates the quality of pictures churned out by the high-flying satellite. Credit: DigitalGlobe
The search is on to identify that peculiar blemish in photographs.
Perhaps it's little more than a natural, albeit eye catching, geological formation. On the other hand, that anomaly could have a classic tale to tell, one that reaches back into biblical times.
On the lookout trail
Most Biblical scholars and Near Eastern archeologists and historians regard the Biblical accounting of Noah's Ark and a world-devastating flood as a story handed down by oral tradition.
As told in the Bible, Noah constructed a large boat to house his family and sets of animals, saving them from flood waters due to 40 days and 40 nights of deluge. Once this Great Flood retreated, as depicted in the Book of Genesis, the ark settled down on the mountains of Ararat.
On the lookout trail for the real deal is Porcher Taylor, a senior associate (nonresident) at the prominent think tank, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C. He is an expert on satellite intelligence gathering and diplomacy.
Taylor has worked for years to compel the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to declassify satellite images and other information related to the unidentified feature perched on Mt. Ararat in Turkey.
Indeed, the secrecy wraps have come off a partial set of aerial images taken over that location in June 1949. They do show something at the 15,500-foot level on the mountain's Northwestern Plateau.
In later years, Taylor contends, two high-powered intelligence-gathering satellites -- the Keyhole-9 in 1973 and the Keyhole-11 in 1976 -- aimed their cameras at the mountain. What those photo shoots purportedly show created a stir amongst photo interpreters.
The anomaly is more than 600-feet long (183 meters), Taylor said, at least the section visible in aerial and satellite imagery. Photo interpretation specialists, he said, do think they perceive actual boat structure in the pictures.
Yet those images remain classified at the moment. Remaining unclassified, however, is Taylor's passion.
"I want to solve the enduring mystery of the Ararat Anomaly, no matter what it may be," he told SPACE.com
Peeking at the peak
Thanks to the advent of commercial remote sensing satellites, taking a peek at the object on Mt. Ararat for a fee is feasible.
In October 1999 into the summer of 2000, images of the mountain and the object in question were snapped by the IKONOS spacecraft, owned and operated by Space Imaging, based in Thornton, Colorado. Those pictures didn't resolve the issue, one way or the other, however.
Now the lenses of another commercial satellite, QuickBird, operated by DigitalGlobe of Longmont, Colorado is on the prowl. "QuickBird is capable of shedding more light on what the anomaly may or may not be," Taylor said.
QuickBird was lofted in October 2001 and is billed as the world's highest resolution commercial imaging satellite. It can see things 2-feet (61-centimeters) across.
"We have acquired four images of Mt. Ararat and all have been cloud covered to date," said Chuck Herring, Director of Marketing Communications for DigitalGlobe. "We continue to task this event and will get Porcher Taylor an image as soon as we get a good image," he told SPACE.com.
Clear sailing
Taylor is anxiously awaiting clear sailing by QuickBird over Mt. Ararat.
"Because of constant cloud cover it's tough. Where this thing is, whatever it is
it's basically a glacier, a permanent ice cap at 15,000 feet up on the mountain. It is a unique and unexplored site on Mt. Ararat. You're going to have to have ideal weather conditions and a lot of luck when you're flying over to see it," Taylor said.
Meanwhile, Taylor anticipates that when QuickBird does produce the imagery goods, he'll have more leverage to convince U.S. President Bush and his administration to declassify those earlier Keyhole satellite shots.
Taylor may not have to wait too long.
Next month, the National Imagery and Mapping Agency unveils a load of vintage Keyhole-7 and Keyhole-9 pictures, declassifying the images and making them available for public scrutiny. He hopes Mt. Ararat photos are among those being released.
Imagery team
Taylor has at the ready a "world class" imagery team, ready to huddle over any new QuickBird images or older Keyhole photos.
A leader in that team is Farouk El-Baz, research professor and founding director of Boston University's Center for Remote Sensing.
El-Baz first gained world attention for his work on the Apollo program. He served as secretary of the lunar landing site selection committee, chairman of the astronaut training group, and principal investigator for visual observations and photography.
A native of Egypt, El-Baz later served as a science advisor to Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and to King Hussein of Jordan.
He has been a pioneer in developing the field of remote sensing and is offering his expertise to what's truly resident on Mt. Ararat.
"There is absolutely enough hearsay
enough discussion about the topic to warrant looking into this, to see whether there is something tangible or not," El-Baz told SPACE.com.
Unveil the truth
El-Baz recounted his conversations with former Apollo 15 moonwalker James Irwin. The astronaut, now deceased, mounted six expeditions to Mt. Ararat in a search for the ark. Those treks were done through his High Flight Foundation, a non-profit evangelical organization based in Colorado Springs.
"Irwin told me he saw something. He felt it was an imprint on the land of the boat that was turned upside down
perhaps with some soil on top. So there was something there in his mind," El-Baz said.
El-Baz himself remains true to his training, waiting for scientific data to become available and help unveil the true nature of the Ararat object.
"There is absolutely nothing in all the pictures that we have seen up to now that is questionable in my mind. I can explain each and everything as a natural snow bank
a shadow. There is nothing," El-Baz said. But given the interest and the historical nature of such a find, the search is worth conducting, he added.
"From all the points of view, there is definitely enough in this to warrant spending time to resolve the issue, one way or the other. So I don't consider it a waste of time," El-Baz said.
TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: ark; noahs; noahsark; satellite
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To: LostTribe; MeeknMing
Turpan Faces, Uygars The Uygars are the European remnants of this Asian/European meeting. (The Tarim Mummies)
I think I have found the Asian remnants like the Uygars. They may be the Hakka Chinese.. (More to come)
61
posted on
09/02/2002 5:12:36 PM PDT
by
blam
To: LostTribe; MeeknMing
62
posted on
09/02/2002 5:14:51 PM PDT
by
blam
To: blam
![](http://www.sungwh.freeserve.co.uk/sapienti/china-m.gif)
Late Hakka Migrations
63
posted on
09/02/2002 6:21:17 PM PDT
by
blam
To: blam
"Some claim Hakka as "pure" Han people. But pure Han really does not exist. Recent archaeological studies have shown that China had multiple centers of civilization, developed rather independently of each other. Yangshao (Henan), Banpo(Shaanxi), Hongshan (Liaoning) , Liangzhu(Jiangsu/Zhejiang), Sanxingdui (Sichuan), Longshan (Shandong) all eventually merged into the Han culture. Han people are thus the integrated composite of several different tribes. In a way, the definition of Han is just as difficult as the definition of American. Hakkas as Han cannot be ethnically pure. Hakka have been at the interface of ethnic conflicts for many dynasties. Genetically speaking, some Hakka people have clearly inherited some non-Han features such as wavy hair and high nose bridge. Hakka must have incorporated these features from the different ethnicities along the migration path through out the 2000 years of history. The characteristic of Hakkas can only be recognized by the dialect and the adamant preservation of ancient Chinese custom."
64
posted on
09/02/2002 8:21:13 PM PDT
by
blam
To: blam
Hakka OriginsWhat do you say MeeknMing?
Wow, thanks!
Interesting.
From your link there, this snippet leads me to believe that Ming must be Hakka ! ![](http://home.attbi.com/~rmeek141/VeryHappySmile.gif)
Among all the Chinese people, Hakkas are among the most conservative in keeping the traditions. Yet, many are willing to take risks and seek new opportunities elsewhere to establish themselves. The migratory tradition results in the distribution of Hakka in the most remote part of the world. An anecdote has it that the north-most restaurant in the world close to the Arctic is in fact a Chinese restaurant run by a Hakka. :)
To: evolved_rage
Thanks for the ping. Very interesting, yeah.
Assuming the validity of pole shifts during Historical times, then a 90 degree pole shift would flood the highest mountains under 15 MILES of water. That is because the earth bulges along the plane of rotation. Thus, if the plane changes with the pole shift then the landscape would be changed outrageously.
Well, the 90 degree shift was millions of years ago. But a mere 75,000 years ago we had a 30 degree pole shift, and a 15 degree pole shift around 45,000 years ago, anda 20 degree pole shift around 20,000 years ago. Exact figures and data can be obtained if you want specific figures.
A Very interesting article.
66
posted on
09/03/2002 12:35:34 PM PDT
by
vannrox
To: ovrtaxt
67
posted on
09/03/2002 12:37:14 PM PDT
by
vannrox
To: evolved_rage
In 1959, stereo photos where taken by a Turkish airline pilot of a boat shaped object on the mountains of Ararat for The Geodetic Institute of Turkey. Dr. Brandenburger of Ohio State University, USA, after studying the photographs concluded, "I have no doubt at all, that this object is a ship. In my entire career, I have never seen an object like this on a stereo photograph." Dr. Brandenburger was a photogrammetry expert who had discovered the missile bases in Cuba, during the Kennedy era.
Ground penetrating radar proved the boat to have three decks, the top two decks had collapsed leaving the bottom deck intact which contained 144 rooms. Walls, cavities, a door near the front, ramps, and two large round 'tank shapes' near to the bow were also located. The radar scan revealed four protrusions extending from the stern that were probably stabilizers.
In 1959, stereo photos where taken by a Turkish airline pilot of a boat shaped object on the mountains of Ararat for The Geodetic Institute of Turkey. Dr. Brandenburger of Ohio State University, USA, after studying the photographs concluded, "I have no doubt at all, that this object is a ship. In my entire career, I have never seen an object like this on a stereo photograph." Dr. Brandenburger was a photogrammetry expert who had discovered the missile bases in Cuba, during the Kennedy era. An American team ran a day and a half expedition to the site, hardly enough time to carry out any scientific testing. They blew a hole in the side of the structure with dynamite, although some timber shaped stones were revealed, their conclusion was, "Nothing of any archaeological interest". If this object was Noah's Ark, it would be approximately 4400 years old so the wood would have petrified. So finding timber shaped stone was encouraging evidence. However, because the material had no growth rings, the team decided it could not be wood. But does this really prove true?The conditions of the world before the Biblical flood, were very different from now. The Bible says, "...for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth...But there went up a mist from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground." (Gen 2: 5, 6). Growth rings in wood are caused by seasonal variations, so in a pre flood environment, with no seasonal variations, the trees would have no growth rings. And this is exactly what the American team found! In fact, if the material did have growth rings, it could not have been Noah's Ark.After seeing an article published in LIFE magazine covering the expedition, Ron Wyatt an amateur archaeologist, visited the site in 1977. His interest was aroused and he decided the structure deserved further investigation as to whether this could be Noah's Ark.
It lay 6,300 feet above sea level, much too high to be the remains of a boat from a local flood. It is over 200 miles from the nearest sea. The dimensions were consistent with the Biblical description of Noah's Ark in Gen. 6:15, measuring 300 cubits long. The width was greater than that mentioned in the Bible as the sides of the boat had splayed, which would be expected in a boat of that age.
In 1959, stereo photos where taken by a Turkish airline pilot of a boat shaped object on the mountains of Ararat for The Geodetic Institute of Turkey. Dr. Brandenburger of Ohio State University, USA, after studying the photographs concluded, "I have no doubt at all, that this object is a ship. In my entire career, I have never seen an object like this on a stereo photograph." Dr. Brandenburger was a photogrammetry expert who had discovered the missile bases in Cuba, during the Kennedy era. An American team ran a day and a half expedition to the site, hardly enough time to carry out any scientific testing. They blew a hole in the side of the structure with dynamite, although some timber shaped stones were revealed, their conclusion was, "Nothing of any archaeological interest". If this object was Noah's Ark, it would be approximately 4400 years old so the wood would have petrified. So finding timber shaped stone was encouraging evidence. However, because the material had no growth rings, the team decided it could not be wood. But does this really prove true?The conditions of the world before the Biblical flood, were very different from now. The Bible says, "...for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth...But there went up a mist from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground." (Gen 2: 5, 6). Growth rings in wood are caused by seasonal variations, so in a pre flood environment, with no seasonal variations, the trees would have no growth rings. And this is exactly what the American team found! In fact, if the material did have growth rings, it could not have been Noah's Ark.After seeing an article published in LIFE magazine covering the expedition, Ron Wyatt an amateur archaeologist, visited the site in 1977. His interest was aroused and he decided the structure deserved further investigation as to whether this could be Noah's Ark. It lay 6,300 feet above sea level, much too high to be the remains of a boat from a local flood. It is over 200 miles from the nearest sea. The dimensions were consistent with the Biblical description of Noah's Ark in Gen. 6:15, measuring 300 cubits long. The width was greater than that mentioned in the Bible as the sides of the boat had splayed, which would be expected in a boat of that age. Ground penetrating radar proved the boat to have three decks, the top two decks had collapsed leaving the bottom deck intact which contained 144 rooms. Walls, cavities, a door near the front, ramps, and two large round 'tank shapes' near to the bow were also located. The radar scan revealed four protrusions extending from the stern that were probably stabilizers. Ron tested the material at Galbraith Laboratories in Knoxville, Tennessee and it proved to be laminated, petrified wood. Tests for carbon showed that samples from the site contained much higher carbon content than the surrounding area. The specimen from the site proved to be 4.95% carbon, while the specimen from the surrounding area, tested at 1.88%. Thus the specimen from the site had once been living matter. Such sophisticated alloys as iron, titanium and aluminium also proved to be present. With only a superficial inspection the rib timbers and deck joists are clearly visible along the entire length of the ship.
![](http://www.wyattarchaeology.com/images/bulkhead.jpg)
With the use of four types of different metal detectors, thousands of metal rivets were found on the site. Iron was found at regular intervals which made up a pattern of horizontal and vertical lines 'criss-crossing' the boat, demonstrating iron at the levels of each bulkhead. Conventional science teaches that the iron age far precedes the time of the flood, but the Bible in Genesis 4:22 says, "Tubalcain, [was] an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron". Iron nodules were also found in about 5400 places, which show linear patterns consistent with the shape of the hull.
![](http://www.wyattarchaeology.com/images/new4.jpg)
In 1991, Greg Brewer, found a petrified antler in the side of the ark. As a result of a core drilling Ron found extinct rodent hair, petrified animal droppings and red human hair.All the expeditions have so far been to Mt. Ararat, but what does the Bible actually say about the resting place of Noah's Ark? Gen 8:4, "And the ark rested on the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat. The Bible does not say the ark came to rest on Mt. Ararat, but on the mountain range of Ararat. That is exactly where we find this boat shaped object, it is located about fifteen miles south of Mt. Ararat.The names of the surrounding places are interestingly associated with the Biblical account of the flood. The valley is called 'The Valley of Eight', in reference to the eight survivors of the flood, Noah and his wife, their three sons and their wives. A village in the valley translates to 'The Village of Eight', where several giant anchor stones can be found thousands of feet above sea level and hundreds of kilometers from the nearest sea. On the anchor stones there are carved Christian crosses from the crusader period, evidence that the crusaders also recognized the Christian significance of the anchor stones. There are thirteen of these anchor stones that all lie in direct line with the boat. So evidently, Noah cut them loose as the waters subsided and just before the ark came to rest.
![](http://www.wyattarchaeology.com/images/ichon.jpg)
Near to this village is another smaller village with a name that translates to 'The Crow will not Stand'. Undoubtedly, referring to when Noah released a raven from the ark. Another village is called 'Where the Oars were Reversed', again suggesting that a boat once passed over this area, where it began to slow down to its final resting place. The Turkish government has also sent their own archaeological team, who recovered four intact metal rods, each about four foot long. These are now in the possession of the Ministry of Mines and Minerals, in Turkey. They have officially dedicated the site as a national park declaring it to be the remains of Noah's Ark!
![](http://www.wyattarchaeology.com/images/lamintedwood.jpg)
![](http://www.wyattarchaeology.com/images/petrified.jpg-0)
68
posted on
09/03/2002 12:48:59 PM PDT
by
vannrox
To: vannrox
I just have to go to Turkey.(Horrible Timing w/ upcoming the Saddam Mess)It's interesting that Turkey is very much aligned with America,(almost like Israel) and The Ark Rests in the Mountains of Ararat.I just have to get there someday. I may just buy those 2 videos he has for sale too to appease myself.
69
posted on
09/03/2002 2:23:50 PM PDT
by
Pagey
To: blam
I've seen pictures of this from the ground. It does look like the ribs of a hull are sticking out over a ledge.
70
posted on
09/03/2002 10:03:19 PM PDT
by
#3Fan
To: blam
If I had a nickle every time some kook claims to have discovered Noah's Ark, I'd be a very rich man. Finding an old boat, or an anomaly on the side of a hill, just isn't enough. Sorry guys.
To: LostTribe
The Celts are hardly "the Lost Tribes". Linguistically there isn't any connection, nor are Celts Semites. One major way the "Lost Tribes" became lost was through intermarriage with the Canaanite tribes around them. They lost their culture and left their religion, unlike their cousins to the south.
72
posted on
09/03/2002 10:27:45 PM PDT
by
Pelham
To: Pagey; LostTribe
"I just have to go to Turkey.(Horrible Timing w/ upcoming the Saddam Mess)It's interesting that Turkey is very much aligned with America,(almost like Israel) See the profile page of LostTribe for a better understanding.
73
posted on
09/04/2002 7:39:49 AM PDT
by
blam
To: vannrox
I saw an hour long TV special on this subject. The most impressive thing IMO were the 'anchor stones.' (..or whatever they're called that were up there.)
74
posted on
09/04/2002 7:43:17 AM PDT
by
blam
To: Pelham
>The Celts are hardly "the Lost Tribes".
Make your case.
>Linguistically there isn't any connection,
Ask any real archeologist and he will tell you that language is the poorest way to attempt to determine who went where. Think about it, how many generations does it take immigrants to America to lose ALL linkeage with their ancestors language?
Having said that, there are a large number of links from ancient Hebrew to contemporary English. The author of the book on the
Assyrian Tablets in British Museum dedicates 12 pages in Chapter 11 just to that subject.
To: Pelham
>nor are Celts Semites.
Would the Celts have to look like Yassir Arafat to be Semites? How may of these Jewish Semites could be easily confused for their Celtic cousins in Europe and America:
Joseph Lieberman, Paul Newman, Ted Koppel, Harrison Ford, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Kirk Douglas, Kevin Costner, Stephen Breyer, Yitzhak Rabin, Michael Landon, Lorne Greene, Mike Wallace, Benjamin Netanyahu, William Shatner, Douglas Fairbanks, Cary Grant, Leonard Bernstein, Paul Simon, Ariel Sharon, David Frost, Morley Safer, Ari Fleischer,
Jack Benny, Alan King, Casper Weinberger, Carl Reiner, George Burns, Red Buttons, Sam Levinson, Bernard Goldberg, Robert Downey Jr., Dustin Hoffman, Michael Douglas, Peter Sellers, Tony Curtis, Edward G. Robinson, Wolf Blitzer, Mel Torme, Paul Wellstone, Peter Falk, Leonard Nimoy, Jerry Springer, Arlen Spector, William Cohen,
Barry Goldwater, Robert Rubin, William Roth, Howard Metzenbaum, Hyman Rickover, Robert Reich, Russ Feinberg, Stanley Mosk, Arthur Burns, Milton Friedman, Bill Kristol, Victor Borge, William Kristol, Warren Rudman, etc., etc, etc.
The Celts and the Jews are genetic cousins. All are offspring from Jacob/Israel, and all are Hebrews, Semites, and Israelites. (See My LostTribe Profile below for more details...)
To: Pelham
>One major way the "Lost Tribes" became lost was through intermarriage with the Canaanite tribes around them.
That is only speculation without any basis in fact. Besides, the Lost Tribes of Israel did not return to Canaan when they escaped the Assyrians. They went primarily to the West and NorthWest.
>They lost their culture and left their religion, unlike their cousins to the south.
That much is correct. Of course their cousins to the South (who much later became known as Jews) also left their Israelite religion for a time, and have been punished continuously for it ever since.
To: blam
BUMP to read when I'm not supposed to be working ;-)
To: LostTribe; blam
Their intentions may be good but I'm guessing they are wasting their time looking here. For one, the mountain was named long after the fact, for the biblical name, not the other way around, and for another, the description in Genesis says 'mountains of Ararat', which is pretty generalized. Toss in the likelyhood that the flood was much further away in the Tarim basin, and we have the trappings of a boondoggle.
To: Citizen of the Savage Nation
"Toss in the likelyhood that the flood was much further away in the Tarim basin, and we have the trappings of a boondoggle." When do you think this flood occurred in the Tarim Basin. Was the Turpan Basin affected too?
80
posted on
09/04/2002 3:58:39 PM PDT
by
blam
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