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CIA NOAH'S ARK MEMOS
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NOTE |
Although Noah's Ark is not strictly speaking synonymous with ancient astronauts, as an ancient mystery frequently cited by alternative authors, it warrants inclusion in the Ancient Astronaut Files. Following the 1992 report on Noah's Ark compiled under then-Director of Central Intelligence Robert M. Gates, the new DCI, R. James Woolsey, requested more information about Noah's Ark upon assuming office after the change of presidential administration. Alternative authors take sections of these memos out of context to suggest a pre-1992 CIA effort to locate Noah's Ark. The memos and the report make clear that there has been no such effort organized by the US government, and it is only elected and appointed political officials who have pushed for investigation of religious relics using government resources.
Redacted portions of the NPIC report are indicated with X's. |
Central Intelligence Agency
Office of the Deputy Director for Science and Technology
Office of the Deputy Director for Science and Technology
7 February 1994
NOTE FOR: EA/DCI
ES/Action Officer
FROM: EA/DDS&T
SUBJECT: Noah’s Ark and Mt. Ararat
XXXXXXXX
I have provided copies of imagery contained in OIA’s and NPIC’s files on Noah’s Ark and Mt. Ararat. As you can see from the accompanying record of requests for information, we have consistently denied requests for release of this imagery due to classification considerations. The documentation also suggests that we have never been able to conclusively identify Noah’s Ark.
We have responded to FOIA requests on a case-by-case basis and have no efforts currently underway either to review other records or conduct additional searches for Noah’s Ark in the Mt. Ararat region.
Please let me know if there is any additional information that you request.
XXXXXXXX
NOTE FOR: EA/DCI
ES/Action Officer
FROM: EA/DDS&T
SUBJECT: Noah’s Ark and Mt. Ararat
XXXXXXXX
I have provided copies of imagery contained in OIA’s and NPIC’s files on Noah’s Ark and Mt. Ararat. As you can see from the accompanying record of requests for information, we have consistently denied requests for release of this imagery due to classification considerations. The documentation also suggests that we have never been able to conclusively identify Noah’s Ark.
We have responded to FOIA requests on a case-by-case basis and have no efforts currently underway either to review other records or conduct additional searches for Noah’s Ark in the Mt. Ararat region.
Please let me know if there is any additional information that you request.
XXXXXXXX
OIA O44/94
15 February 1994
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
VIA: Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
Executive Director
Deputy Director for Science and Technology
FROM: Ward R. Swain
Chief, Special Studies Division, OIA/NPIC/DS&T
SUBJECT: Noah's Ark
1. Action Requested: None. This is in response to your questions about imagery analysis related to Noah's Ark.
2. Background: The Office of Imagery Analysis (OIA), National Photographic Interpretation Center, DS&T, has no active project searching imagery of Mt. Ararat, Turkey, for evidence of Noah’s Ark. We have responded to ad hoc requests from the DCI's office on this topic in the past. At the direction of DCI Gates, OIA in 1992 searched for the Ark on imagery routinely collected of the Mt. Ararat area between November 1990 and January 1992. That search revealed nothing conclusive; only two areas of apparent rock formations protruding through existing snow and ice. We subsequently received a request dated 15 January 1993 from XXXXXXXX that was forwarded to former DCI Gates XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. Acting DCI Studeman's Special Assistant XXXXXXX directed on 21 January 1993 that further work on this topic be put on hold until further notice.
3. We are unaware of anyone pressing for analysis of extant imagery of Ararat in an attempt to locate the Ark except for the requests we have discussed above.
4. We doubt that a thorough search of imagery of Mt. Ararat for evidence of the Ark would be conclusive. With its summit at over 15, 000 feet of elevation, Mt. Ararat is snow and ice covered virtually year round. Viewing conditions over the mountain vary by season—the months of July and August typically would be the months of least snow and ice cover. An exhaustive analysis would require the review of all imagery collected by National Technical Means over Mt. Ararat over the past approximately 30 years. Imagery of the area from the past 18 months is at hand; the remainder is not readily available but could be retrieved from the imagery archives within about four to six weeks. Once the imagery was available, we estimate it would take half an analyst-year to complete the analysis.
5. A search of the imagery archives for coverage of Mt. Ararat, Turkey, would not require DCI approval.
XXXXXXX
15 February 1994
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
VIA: Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
Executive Director
Deputy Director for Science and Technology
FROM: Ward R. Swain
Chief, Special Studies Division, OIA/NPIC/DS&T
SUBJECT: Noah's Ark
1. Action Requested: None. This is in response to your questions about imagery analysis related to Noah's Ark.
2. Background: The Office of Imagery Analysis (OIA), National Photographic Interpretation Center, DS&T, has no active project searching imagery of Mt. Ararat, Turkey, for evidence of Noah’s Ark. We have responded to ad hoc requests from the DCI's office on this topic in the past. At the direction of DCI Gates, OIA in 1992 searched for the Ark on imagery routinely collected of the Mt. Ararat area between November 1990 and January 1992. That search revealed nothing conclusive; only two areas of apparent rock formations protruding through existing snow and ice. We subsequently received a request dated 15 January 1993 from XXXXXXXX that was forwarded to former DCI Gates XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. Acting DCI Studeman's Special Assistant XXXXXXX directed on 21 January 1993 that further work on this topic be put on hold until further notice.
3. We are unaware of anyone pressing for analysis of extant imagery of Ararat in an attempt to locate the Ark except for the requests we have discussed above.
4. We doubt that a thorough search of imagery of Mt. Ararat for evidence of the Ark would be conclusive. With its summit at over 15, 000 feet of elevation, Mt. Ararat is snow and ice covered virtually year round. Viewing conditions over the mountain vary by season—the months of July and August typically would be the months of least snow and ice cover. An exhaustive analysis would require the review of all imagery collected by National Technical Means over Mt. Ararat over the past approximately 30 years. Imagery of the area from the past 18 months is at hand; the remainder is not readily available but could be retrieved from the imagery archives within about four to six weeks. Once the imagery was available, we estimate it would take half an analyst-year to complete the analysis.
5. A search of the imagery archives for coverage of Mt. Ararat, Turkey, would not require DCI approval.
XXXXXXX
