Remains of a temple in Beit Shemesh that could have contained the Ark of the Covenant

In Israel, during archaeological research conducted near the modern city of Beit Shemesh, researchers have discovered the remains of a building, supposedly an ancient temple, which could have housed the biblical Ark of the Covenant - after the Philistines stricken by the epidemic were forced to return it to the Jews.

According to the Daily Mail, the alleged temple of the Ark is located sixteen kilometers from Jerusalem, on the outskirts of an ancient Jewish settlement. In the center of what was most likely a religious building in the 12th century BC, archaeologists have found a large flat stone that matches the description of the stone in 1 Kings. The surface of the stone is a square with sides of 8.5 meters. The ritual purpose of the building is also indicated by the fact that the entrance to the building is oriented towards the sunrise, and its walls were much stronger than those of residential buildings of that era.

In addition to the 'big stone' inside the remains of the building, two others were found, round in shape, with grooves cut into them. They are, probably used for libations of wine, oil, and animal sacrifices. The bones of the latter and the remains of ceramic vessels, indicating that rituals were carried out in this place, were also discovered by researchers. Archaeologists have established that the building was later plundered and turned into a cattle corral - scientists suggest that this was done by the Philistines.

As follows from the text of the Bible, after staying in Beit Shemesh, the Ark of the Covenant ended up in Jerusalem, with the king and the prophet David. After the conquest of the city by the Babylonians in 587 BC. traces of the shrine are lost.

Photo: Dr. Zvi lederman