Posted on 05/13/2008 12:55:39 PM PDT by Clint N. Suhks
BERLIN It is only a breathless Hollywood script: treasure-hunter Indiana Jones races with German archaeologists to track down the fabled Ark of the Covenant, the chest that held the stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments were etched.
Now German researchers claim to have found the remains of the palace of the Queen of Sheba and an altar that may have held the Ark.
The discovery, announced by the University of Hamburg last week, has stirred skeptical rumblings from the archaeological community.
The location of the Ark, indeed its existence, has been a source of controversy for centuries.
Regarded as the most precious treasure of ancient Judaism, it is at the heart of a debate about whether archaeology should chronicle the rise and fall of civilizations or explore the boundaries between myth and ancient history.
Professor Helmut Ziegert, of the archaeological institute at the University of Hamburg, has been supervising a dig in Aksum, northern Ethiopia, since 1999.
The palace, that is, of the Queen of Sheba, who is believed to have lived in the 10th century B.C.
After she died, her son and successor, Menelek, replaced the palace with a temple dedicated to Sirius.
The German researchers believe that the Ark was taken from Jerusalem by the queen who had a liaison with King Solomon and built into the altar to Sirius.
"The results we have suggest that a Cult of Sothis developed in Ethiopia with the arrival of Judaism and the Ark of the Covenant, and continued until 600 A.D.," an announcement by the University of Hamburg on behalf of the research team said.
Sothis is the ancient Greek name for the star Sirius.
... In about 586 B.C., when the Babylonians conquered the Israelites, the Ark vanished.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Aksum is in Ethiopia and has been for 3000 years. Noah’s Ark would be an easier project.
they also dont find that at all remarkable
To sum up: Bilge From Boyes, German on Trail is Dog That Won’t Hunt, Cannot Find Ark Park, I.D. of Altars Falters.
Hehehe - woof!
Why would Solomon have allowed the Ark to be removed to Sheba?
"Just because you said, 'With all due respect', doesn't mean you get to say whatever you want."
"It sure the heck does!"
Yeah, I caught it ...
Thank you. :D
According to the legend, Menelek (Solomon's/Sheba's son) stayed with Solomon until a young adult, and was devout before the God of Israel. He, and a core of temple priests were outrage by Solomon's wives' gods being set in the Sanctuary of the Most High, and conspired against Solomon.
When Menelek was due to go to is home, He petitioned Solomon for the right to build a replica of the Ark, that he could bring it with himself to set up a temple of Jehovah in Ethiopia. Solomon apparently agreed, and the replica was commissioned.
On the eve of his departure, Menelek and his conspirators switched the replica with the actual Ark, and left on his journey home.
The Ark then went to Elephantine Island in Egypt for some time, where there is evidence of a Hebrew temple site, then to an Island in a lake at the headwaters of the Nile (where another temple site exists), for some centuries, where he trail grows cold. The Ark eventually winds up in Our Lady of Zion Chapel in Aksum.
Legend is right. Legends are a dime a dozen. Methinks this Ethiopian legend is much ado about nothing.
The book of Hebrews chapters 8-10 says the things of the old covenant, which by definition would have to include the ark of the (old) covenant, are fulfilled in the the New Covenant.
which is why, in Rev. 11:19, we see the ark of the covenant in heaven.
Given that it was a wooden chest, its survival of three thousand years is problematical.
Bring in the popcorn!.....:0)
The Ark is one of the best well known mysteries of the Bible.
I hope Indy gets there first...
Please do not use potty language or references to potty language on the Religion Forum.
I just pulled that post and the references to it, now I will have to pull your reply to me.
I saw a rather interesting show on Nat Geo the other day with Grahm Handcock (yes a real nut) and he went to Ethiopia to the various sites connected with the Ark legend. His opinion was that they really had it. Looking at the evidence, and the various legends of the African Jewish kingdoms, I think it is very possible that the Ark or its’ remains are in St. Mary's of Zion.
On my list of “Would love to go there but will probably never see it”.
Been on my list for years...haven't made it yet!:)
Last Sunday we celebrated the baptism of a little American baby whose parents come from Ethiopia. Her name is Martha! Isn't that so wonderfully American?! Before the sacrament we had a real Ethiopian feast with the Lebanese providing the hors d’oeuvre...good eats!
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