In 1959 a pilot in the Turkish Air Force on a NATO mapping-mission in the mountainous terrain of eastern Turkey photographed an unusual ship-shaped object near Mt. Ararat (watch a short video of the Durupinar site regarding its location in relation to Mt. Ararat). Later when these aerial photographs were viewed stereo-scopically by Captain Ilhan Durupinar, he noticed that the object looked even more like a ship.

An expedition was soon sent to Turkey to review the boat-shaped object. On June 6, 1960 at 7:45 in the morning, Professor Arthur J. Brandenburger, one of the world's foremost experts in photogrammetry and aerial photography; Captain Ilhan Durupinar, expert cartographer; Wilbur A. Bishop, self-made millionaire; George Vandeman, Protestant minister; Hal J. Thomsen, research assistant; Dr. S. H. Horn, well respected archaeologist; Rene Noorbergen; veteran newsman and Major Baykal reached the site.

The team spent the entire day digging at the site. The next day's excavation probe did not reveal much more; however, the technique that followed was dreastically different. Dr. Horn, the archaeologist, strongly opposed the use of the dynamite.

At 11:45 nine sticks of dynamite were placed at the right side of the bow in an enlarged hole. According to Noorbergen, 90 seconds later the "explosion blew out dirt, rocks, and more dirt. No Ark."

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