Ark of the Covenant - Drawing. Public domain image.

The Ark of the Covenant is a biblical artefact believed to have been built by the Israelites according to God's instructions. It is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible as a sacred chest made of acacia wood and covered with gold. The Ark was said to contain the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. The Ark played an important role in the religious practices of ancient Israel. It was kept in the inner sanctuary of the tabernacle, a portable shrine used during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. It was later placed in the Holy of Holies in Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. According to biblical accounts, the Ark was considered the dwelling place of God's presence among the Israelites. It was believed to be a symbol of God's covenant with his people and was carried into battle as a means of seeking divine guidance and protection. However, the fate of the Ark is unknown. It disappeared from the historical record after the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem in 586 BC, when the Temple was destroyed. There are various theories and speculations about its current whereabouts, ranging from being hidden in secret chambers beneath the Temple Mount to being taken by foreign powers. The Ark of the Covenant continues to capture the popular imagination and has been a subject of fascination and mystery for centuries. It has been the subject of numerous books, films and archaeological expeditions, but its true location and existence remain uncertain.