: He explores the Kebra Nagast (Glory of Kings), Ethiopia's national epic, which claims that Menelik I, the son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, brought the Ark from Jerusalem to Axum.
: Hancock proposes that the Ark was removed from Solomon's Temple during the reign of the apostate King Manasseh (c. 650 BC) to protect it. He tracks its supposed movement to Elephantine Island in Egypt, then to Lake Tana in Ethiopia, before reaching Axum. Key Theories and Speculation Graham Hancock – Znak i Pečat
: Despite academic criticism, the book was a major commercial success. It transitioned Hancock from a conventional journalist to a leading figure in "alternative history," setting the stage for his most famous work, Fingerprints of the Gods . AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more : He explores the Kebra Nagast (Glory of
The book follows Hancock's journey through multiple countries as he attempts to trace the physical path of the Ark: He tracks its supposed movement to Elephantine Island
Hancock introduces several controversial theories that have become hallmarks of his work:
: Mirroring some "ancient astronaut" themes, Hancock speculates on the Ark's nature, suggesting it possessed dangerous, almost radioactive properties that required specific handling protocols as described in the Old Testament. Reception and Legacy
: Hancock focuses on the chapel of the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion in Axum, Ethiopia. He interviews the "Guardian of the Ark," a monk who is the only person permitted to see the relic.