The Ark of the Covenant

**The Ark of the Covenan**t is the 18th episode in Season 3 of Expedition Unknown.

## Plot Synopsis

Josh Gates follows in the footsteps of Indiana Jones as he searches in Israel and Ethiopia for the lost Ark of the Covenant, the sacred relic said to contain the Ten Commandments and possess extraordinary powers.

## Historical Context

"The Ark of the Covenant - it is the single most iconic archaeological relic in history, an object of astounding religious significance and, according to legend, unimaginable power. In the Old Testament, Moses returns from the top of Mount Sinai with stone tablets delivered from God himself. On them are inscribed 10 commandments, an eternal covenant between man and the Almighty. These are kept in a sacred gold-covered chest known as the Ark. It is said to wield the terrifying power to consume its enemies with a wall of fire and reduce mountains to dust. The Israelites carry the Ark to Jerusalem where it vanishes from history and mankind has been looking for it ever since."

- Josh Gates

## Summary

Josh goes to Jerusalem, Israel and to the Temple Mount where he meets Avi Solomon, an archaeologist. There are theories the Ark is buried beneath the temple but there have been many ramifications for digging there before. Avi shows Josh their dig site but says there has been no excavation under the temple before because of religious and political reasons. Josh then meets Scott Stripling, an archaeologist, who has found a tunnel connecting to the Temple Mount area and also meets Alon Malachi, a rappelling expert. They head into an ancient tunnel and find the signature of Conrad Schick, an archaeologist, but then turn back because the tunnel is collapsed.

Josh heads to Axum, Ethiopia and meets Sisay Tsegay, a local guide, who takes him to the Abba Pantaleon where they read the Kebra Nagast which mentions the Ark was brought to Ethiopia. They meet biblical investigator, Bob Cornuke and go to St Mary of Zion's church which is where the Ark is supposedly held but they aren't allowed access inside.

Bob and Sisay show Josh the stelae field of Axum and an old drawing depiction of the Ark. They then meet Sariel Shalev, an archaeometallurgist, and cross Lake Tana to Tana Kirkos Island where they meet Abbot Gabriel, the senior monk on the island. Abbot allows them inside the treasury there and they see artefacts that may have come with the Ark to Ethiopia. Finally, they are able to meet the Guardian of the Ark back at St Mary's who tells them the church is the "home of God."

## Final Words

"So, with the guardian's blessing, I'm left to wonder, is the Ark of the Covenant here in the dusty capital of a lost empire? Or is it beneath Jerusalem in the ruins of the grandest temple in history, now hidden behind stone walls and explosive politics? My journal has brought the search to never-before-explored places and conducted never-performed tests. To be honest, I leave this expedition feeling as though I've actually glimpsed the power of the Ark, its ability, even in its abscence, to start riots and wars, to inspire scripture, and to cement the faith of the Ethiopian people. To crib a line from Raiders, "perhaps it's true that the Ark was something that man was not meant to disturb. It is not of this Earth." And, therefore, it may safest right where it is - in the realm of legend."

- Josh Gates

## Notes & Trivia

* *This is where you can put notes and trivia, anything that is interesting or strange can be included here*

## References

1. ↑ https://travel.home.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/travel/fullrights/2017/3/4/TEXU312H\_Ark-of-Covenant\_251457\_913057.1458355.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.725.suffix/1491594004020.jpeg