Centuries-Old Mystery Reignites: Is the Ark of the Covenant Hiding in Ethiopia or the Vatican?
The enduring mystery surrounding the final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant has surfaced once again, sparking renewed debate among historians, theologians, and conspiracy theorists. Recent reports have brought two prevailing, yet vastly different, theories back into the spotlight: that the biblical relic resides within a guarded chapel in Ethiopia, or that it remains concealed deep within the Vatican Secret Archives.
The Sacred Vessel
To understand the gravity of these claims, one must understand the artifact itself. Described in the Book of Exodus, the Ark is a gold-plated chest of acacia wood, topped with two cherubim, which the Bible states was constructed to hold the two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. For centuries, it served as the manifestation of God’s presence among the Israelites. However, the Ark vanishes from the biblical narrative following the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BCE, leaving a void that speculation has filled for millennia.
The Ethiopian Connection
The most enduring claim regarding the Ark’s survival centers on the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion in Aksum, Ethiopia. According to the Kebra Nagast (The Glory of the Kings), the Ark was transported from Jerusalem to Ethiopia by Menelik I, the purported son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, for safekeeping.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has long steadfastly maintained that the original vessel remains secure within the Chapel of the Tablet. It is watched over by a single guardian—a monk appointed for life who is the only person permitted to see the artifact and who is forbidden from ever leaving the chapel grounds.
The Vatican Theory
Conversely, an alternative theory suggests a path through the Roman Empire. This narrative posits that the Ark was not lost during the Babylonian siege but survived until the Roman sack of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Proponents argue that the artifact was seized along with other Temple treasures and taken to Rome. The theory extends to the modern day, alleging that the Ark was eventually transferred to the custody of the Catholic Church and is currently hidden within the high-security vaults of the Vatican Apostolic Archives.
Skepticism and Historical Objections
Despite the allure of these theories, the archaeological and historical communities remain highly skeptical.
Regarding the Ethiopian claim, the absolute refusal of church authorities to allow independent scientific testing or visual verification raises significant doubts. Edward Ullendorff, a historian who claimed to have forced his way into the sanctuary during World War II, stated he saw a model of the Ark, not the ancient original. Critics argue the object in Aksum is likely a tabot—a replica commonly used in Ethiopian religious processions—rather than the biblical chest.
The Vatican theory faces even steeper evidentiary hurdles. While the Arch of Titus in Rome clearly depicts the Menorah and the Table of Showbread being paraded through the city after the sack of Jerusalem, the Ark of the Covenant is notably absent from the relief. Most mainstream historians agree that the Ark likely disappeared centuries before the Romans arrived, possibly destroyed for its gold by earlier invaders or hidden in a location that remains undiscovered, such as the caves near the Dead Sea or beneath the Temple Mount.
As these competing narratives continue to circulate without physical proof, the true location of the Ark of the Covenant remains one of history’s greatest unsolved puzzles, continuing to blur the lines between faith, legend, and historical fact.
