Israeli scholars are furious after new flooring was fitted 'behind their backs' by the Muslim authority in charge of Judaism's holiest site – potentially covering up clues to the location of the 'Lost Ark'.
The work at the Dome of the Rock was simply meant to replace carpet, worn away by thousands of pilgrims at the gold-topped shrine, which overlooks old Jerusalem.
But when the old carpet was lifted, it revealed previously undocumented ancient floor designs – which could point to where the gold-cased Ark of the Covenant was buried 2,500 years ago.
The discovery of the cryptic geometric patterns immediately caught the attention of some researchers, thrilled at the possibility of solving the Indiana Jones-type mystery which touches upon a holy grail for biblical enthusiasts.
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