The Secret Excavation of Jerusalem: A Peculiar Quest for the Ark of the Covenant
A Bizarre Archaeological Adventure
In the annals of archaeology, the excavation team led by British aristocrat Montagu Brownlow Parker stands out as the most peculiar. Assembled in 1909 to search for the legendary Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem, the team included a Swiss psychic, a Finnish poet, an English cricket champion, and a mustachioed Swede who had once piloted a steamboat on the Congo River.
The Allure of the Ark
The Ark of the Covenant, according to biblical tradition, was a sacred chest containing the Ten Commandments. It was believed to possess immense spiritual power, capable of parting the Jordan River and bringing down the walls of Jericho. King David was said to have brought it to Jerusalem, where it was housed in the Holy of Holies in Solomon’s temple.
A Hidden Code and a Secret Deal
Valter Juvelius, an obscure Scandinavian scholar, claimed to have deciphered a secret biblical code that pinpointed the location of the Ark in a Jerusalem tunnel. Armed with this information, Parker secured an excavation permit from the Ottoman Empire in exchange for a 500-pound bribe and a secret deal to share half the loot.
Digging Under the Noble Sanctuary
The excavation, conducted just outside the Old City walls, was the largest in Jerusalem’s history. Nearly 200 workers burrowed four-and-a-half-foot-high passages beneath a rocky ridge, encountering numerous ancient tunnels but no sign of the Ark.
Frustration and Delays
As the weather turned cold and damp, the workers went on strike. Juvelius, disillusioned with the search, sailed home. Ottoman officials grew impatient with the delays, prompting Parker to devise a foolhardy plan.
Trespassing on Sacred Ground
Bribing the Muslim sheikh in charge of the Noble Sanctuary, Parker and his men secretly entered the revered site under the Dome of the Rock. They hacked away at the rock for nine nights, but to no avail.
A Night of Infamy
On the tenth night, the workers were discovered by a sleepless resident or a caretaker who raised the alarm. Muslim residents of Jerusalem filled the streets, enraged at the trespassing on their holy site. Parker and his friends fled, fearing for their lives.
International Scandal
News of the incident spread like wildfire, sparking an international scandal. Rumors flew that the foreigners had made off with the Ark or other priceless relics. The Ottoman parliament held a contentious special session, with Arab lawmakers accusing the Istanbul government of corruption.
A Legacy of Distrust
The failed treasure hunt had far-reaching consequences. It sowed distrust among Palestinian Muslims towards archaeologists and laid the foundation for Palestinian nationalism. The Dome of the Rock emerged as a central symbol of rising Palestinian resistance to Jewish immigration and British occupation.
Parker’s Disappearance
Parker returned to Britain without understanding the gravity of his actions. He made a second attempt at the excavation in 1911, but was thwarted by war. He never returned to Jerusalem and faded into obscurity, dying a bachelor in 1962.
Historical Significance
The secret excavation of Jerusalem remains an enduring tale of archaeological folly and international intrigue. It highlights the cultural and religious sensitivities surrounding Jerusalem, the importance of respecting sacred sites, and the lasting impact of historical events on modern conflicts.
