It inspired one of the most famous stories from the Bible, allegedly saving mankind and two of every animal during an ancient flood. 

And ever since the early days of Christianity, Noah's Ark has inspired a fleet of devotees who believe it was actually real.  

Scientists even think they've found the remains of the wooden vessel – and now they want to prove it.

Experts at California firm Noah's Ark Scans are prepared to dig up Durupinar Formation, a 538-foot-long boat-shaped geological formation in eastern Turkey. 

First it will be conducting soil sampling for traces of wood at the site, which is made of a type of iron ore called limonite.

It will also continue to beam down radar waves in an attempt to 'see' underground and pick out indications of an Ark-shaped object. 

'The location lies in an active earth flow with harsh winters, so protecting the area is our top priority,' Andrew Jones, researcher at Noah's Ark Scans, told the Sun. 

'Over the next few years, our Turkish university partners will conduct non-destructive tests like soil sampling, radar scans, and other methods to determine if the structures we've detected are truly man-made or simply natural formations. Only after we gather enough evidence and have a proper preservation plan in place will we consider excavating.'

Durupinar Formation has long captivated researchers due to the fact that its shape and structure almost match those given for the Ark in the Bible. 

Located just 18 miles (30km) south from Mount Ararat, Turkey's highest peak, Durupinar Formation has only been known about for under a century.

According to local reports, heavy rains and earthquakes exposed the formation from surrounding mud in May 1948 before being discovered by a Kurdish shepherd.

Ever since, the site has drawn believers in the Ark, although interest is really ramping up following the ambitious efforts from Noah's Ark Scans. 

Already, the project has performed tests on 22 soil samples at Durupinar Formation which returned remarkable results. 

There was a lower pH, higher organic matter and higher potassium inside the 'boat shape' – changes consistent with rotting wood, the team say.