A breathtaking archaeological find beneath the waters of Lake Van, Turkey, is shaking the foundations of one of the most famous stories in human history.



Experts say the submerged ruins, located near the legendary resting place of Noah’s Ark, may hold clues to a forgotten civilization that existed thousands of years before the Bible was written.

The extraordinary discovery of this ancient underwater city—hidden just 150 miles from Mount Ararat—has the potential to rewrite the narrative of the Great Flood as told in the Bible and other ancient texts. Historians believe the site could reveal that an advanced civilization thrived in the region over 12,000 years ago, predating the last Ice Age, and may have inspired the earliest versions of the Noah’s Ark story.

Buried 85 feet below the surface of Lake Van near the town of Gevaş, the city has been dubbed by some as “the real Atlantis of Europe.” First spotted in 1997 by Turkish underwater filmmaker Tahsin Ceylan, the site features breathtaking ruins, including a massive stone fortress and circular temples adorned with a mysterious six-spoked Flower of Life symbol—a design also found in ancient ruins of Peru and Bolivia.

According to archaeologist Matthew LaCroix, who recently discussed the find on the Matt Beall Limitless podcast, the site’s true significance has only recently been recognized. “Unfortunately, Tahsin discovered one of the most significant archaeological finds in history, yet it received little attention because it wasn’t labeled or understood correctly,” LaCroix said. He added that his work is now partly dedicated to ensuring Ceylan receives proper recognition.

What makes the discovery so remarkable is its potential link to the biblical flood. Researchers believe that a massive volcanic eruption from Mount Nemrut thousands of years ago blocked the Mirat River, causing catastrophic flooding during the Younger Dryas period—a dramatic climate event that occurred between 12,900 and 11,700 years ago. Soil evidence in the region supports this theory, aligning with ancient flood myths from various cultures.

Interestingly, the story of a great flood appears in multiple ancient traditions. In Mesopotamian records, the survivor is called Ziusudra or Utnapishtim, figures believed to be precursors to the biblical Noah. The similarities suggest that the tale may have been passed down through millennia, shaped by different cultures along the way.

The advanced stonework of the Lake Van city also raises questions about the technological capabilities of ancient peoples. “As far as I’m aware, no civilization in the last 6,000 years had the means to produce this kind of precision masonry,” LaCroix noted, suggesting that history books may need a significant update.

If confirmed, this discovery could not only transform our understanding of ancient civilizations but also challenge long-held beliefs about one of humanity’s most enduring and sacred stories.