The enigma surrounding a chest thought to hold the Ten Commandments has intrigued scholars for centuries, but archaeologists might be closing in on uncovering the elusive Ark of the Covenant.

As narrated in the Bible, this revered artifact was crafted by the Israelites shortly after their escape from Egypt in the 13th century BC, with Moses safely placing the Ten Commandments inside.

Historians suggest the Ark was originally housed in the Holy of Holies, the most sacred chamber of the ancient temple in Jerusalem, before it mysteriously disappeared during the Babylonian conquest of the city in 586 BC.

Recently, archaeologist Dr. Chris McKinny has put forward the theory that the Ark might be concealed within subterranean areas in the City of David, located just south of Jerusalem’s Temple Mount.

To explore this possibility, researchers intend to employ advanced technology capable of identifying hidden cavities and detecting buried metals deep beneath the earth’s surface in the region.

The method relies on muon detectors, instruments that track tiny subatomic particles created when cosmic rays from space strike Earth’s atmosphere, allowing scientists to see deep underground and detect hidden chambers without digging. 

Early scans of the area have revealed previously unknown voids and structures beneath the ancient landscape, aligning with the hidden tunnel theory.

If the technology is eventually extended beneath the Temple Mount, McKinny and his team believe the Ark could be detected, if it still exists, because it is said to be plated with gold inside and out.

According to Biblical history, the Ark of he Covenant was a sacred, gold-covered wooden chest that was constructed sometime around 1445 BCE to hold the Ten Commandments

McKinny does not claim to have discovered the Ark of the Covenant or to know its exact location with certainty.

However, in his documentary Legends of the Lost Ark, released April 7, he explores three major ancient traditions describing what may have happened to the relic after the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem’s First Temple in 586 BC.

According to McKinny, each account suggests the Ark was deliberately hidden to protect it from invading forces rather than destroyed or captured.

McKinny also expressed optimism about emerging technology that could one day allow him and his team to digitally examine underground spaces without disturbing sacred ground.

He pointed to advances in imaging tools such as ground-penetrating radar, seismic scanning, electrical resistivity tomography and other remote-sensing technologies capable of mapping hidden structures beneath the surface, All Israel News reported.

According to McKinny, such tools could eventually help identify tunnels, chambers and concealed spaces beneath the Temple Mount, an area he described as one of archaeology’s biggest blind spots because traditional excavation using ‘the spade or the trowel’ is largely forbidden.

He stressed that this remains a long-term possibility rather than an active excavation project.

In a recent interview, McKinny said he is ‘excited and hopeful for what will come from that,’ while acknowledging that significant religious, political and logistical barriers still stand in the way of such work.

Archaeologist Dr Chris McKinny has proposed the Ark could be hidden within underground spaces in the City of David, just south of Jerusalem’s Temple Mount

Despite growing interest in advanced scanning methods, McKinny maintains a cautious approach, focusing primarily on ancient texts and historical traditions rather than dramatic excavation efforts.

The stories draw from early Jewish sources, including the Book of 2 Maccabees and other historical traditions.

The first and most widely discussed theory, often called the Mount Legend, suggests the Ark was hidden beneath the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

The Temple Mount is the holiest site in Judaism and central to biblical history, widely believed to be the place where Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac.

Located in Jerusalem’s Old City, the 36-acre raised compound once housed Solomon’s Temple, known as the First Temple, and later the rebuilt Second Temple, serving as the spiritual center of Israelite worship and the symbolic dwelling place of God’s presence.

In this tradition, priests are said to have concealed sacred items in underground chambers or tunnels beneath the temple complex shortly before the Babylonian siege.

This theory has fueled centuries of speculation about hidden chambers beneath the Temple Mount and remains one of the most widely debated possibilities among modern researchers.

A second account, known as the Rock Legend, describes the prophet Jeremiah hiding the Ark at a mysterious rocky site located between two mountains.

The Ten Commandments are a list of directives given to Moses by God, including rules such as ‘thou shalt not kill’ and ‘honor thy mother and father,’ according to the Bible

Jeremiah was a major biblical prophet who lived in Jerusalem during the final years before the city’s destruction, making him a central figure in many accounts of the Ark’s disappearance.

The precise location described in the texts remains unclear, with some scholars suggesting it could refer to a wilderness region near Jerusalem or a more remote mountainous area.

The third and oldest tradition, often referred to as the Mount Nebo Legend, appears in the ancient text 2 Maccabees.

It claims Jeremiah carried the Ark, along with other sacred objects, to a cave or tomb on Mount Nebo, the mountain traditionally associated with the death of Moses.

Some interpretations suggest the Ark may have been hidden near the place believed to be Moses’ burial site, though later traditions have complicated efforts to pinpoint the exact location.

Despite their differences, McKinny noted that all three legends share key similarities.

Each places Jeremiah at the center of efforts to safeguard the Ark, situates the events shortly before Jerusalem’s fall, and suggests the relic was intentionally hidden rather than lost in battle.

The apple of high fashion certainly doesn’t stray far from its tree.

In preparation for last week’s LACMA Opening Gala celebrating the David Geffen Galleries, Paris Hilton enlisted the sartorial advice of her pint-sized stylists: daughter London, aged 2, and son Phoenix, aged 3.

The adorable duo sported matching outfits adorned with stylish monograms. London wore a chic tan Gucci logo minidress priced at $980, while Phoenix donned Gucci trousers for $760 paired with a classic white T-shirt costing $260.

The reality TV icon and socialite made a coordinated appearance with her family. Joining her were husband Carter Reum and parents Kathy and Rick Hilton. Paris herself dazzled in a one-sleeve gown, shimmering with liquid sequins, also courtesy of Gucci.

Completing her glamorous look, she sported a crystal necklace and carried a Gucci bag, valued at $5,500, both embellished with the iconic Italian brand’s logo.

Though her children weren’t in attendance with her at the event itself, Hilton shared a look at her home life on Instagram and X.

“That’s hot,” Paris told her mini-me London as she tried on multiple sunglasses, adding, “You look iconic.”

“London, you look amazing queen!” she continued, acting as her daughter’s hype-man.

“Mommy & me glam time 🥺,” Paris captioned the video, adding, “Little London trying on all the sunnies 😍😎 She loves her #Gucci 💕 #MiniIcon 👑”

Paris is a friend of Gucci, having worn the brand on many occasions and attended the Gucci fashion show earlier this month, wearing Gucci monogram head-to-toe during Milan Fashion Week.

Paris has previously shared videos of her mini-me, sharing a video a year ago of London pulling all of her purses off the wall to play with them.

And she often dresses Phoenix in coordinating looks, with the entire family — or, as she calls them, #CutsieCrew — matching their looks.

We expect to see Phoenix and London front row at the next Gucci show.

Alan Osmond, the eldest of the famed musical group The Osmonds, passed away on Monday following a long battle with multiple sclerosis. He was 76 years old.

A family representative confirmed that Alan was at home in Lehi, Utah, surrounded by his wife, Suzanne Osmond, and their eight sons at the time of his passing. Prior to his death, Alan had been using a wheelchair and had spent a week in intensive care before returning home on hospice care last Thursday.

Alan Osmond was not only a gifted performer but also a talented songwriter, contributing to some of the group’s most popular songs such as “One Bad Apple,” “Crazy Horses,” and “Are You Up There?”

Born on June 22, 1949, in Ogden, Utah, Alan’s remarkable journey in music began in the 1950s alongside his brothers Wayne, Merrill, and Jay, forming a barbershop quartet. Alan was the oldest performing member of the group and the third eldest among his siblings.

The Osmond Brothers initially performed at state fairs across Utah until an opportunity at Disneyland led to their television debut on “Disney After Dark” in 1962.

The group became regulars on “The Andy Williams Show,” where they made their name and forged their wholesome and peppy image, peaking as a quintet in the early 1970s, as younger brother Donny Osmond became the breakout star. In 1971, the Osmonds tallied nine gold records, surpassing single-year bests by Elvis and the Beatles.

In the mid-to-late 1970s, Alan became a principal producer on ABC’s hit television show “The Donny and Marie Show,” starring his brother and sister.

The original Osmond Brothers – Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay – returned to the stage in 1982 as a country group and had a handful of hits, including “I Think About Your Lovin.’” At the time, Alan told The Associated Press he switched from recording rock to country music because it better fit their wholesome image.

“Country music really is the backbone of America,” he said. “It doesn’t just come and go. And we’re kind of flag-wavers. You find that in the country area, too.”

In 1987, Alan Osmond was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. It caused him to retire from performing with his family.

His brother Wayne Osmond died at the age of 73 in 2025 after suffering a stroke.

In a statement on social media Tuesday, Donny Osmond called Alan Osmond his “protector” and “guide,” saying he was “the one who quietly carried so much responsibility so the rest of us could shine.”

Merrill Osmond also paid tribute in a social media post, explaining that he saw his ailing brother two days prior.

“We talked as brothers do, heart to heart. He was struggling, but when I shared a joke or two, he found the strength to chuckle … and then he smiled,” he wrote on Facebook. “I need you to know this … he has not left me. I have felt him. I have felt his quiet encouragement telling me to keep going … to keep building faith … to keep sharing light.”

Alan is survived by his wife, Suzanne; his eight sons, Michael, Nathan, Doug, David, Scott, Jon, Alex, and Tyler; 30 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, brothers Virl, Tom, Merrill, Jay, Donny, Jimmy and sister Marie.

Service plans are forthcoming.

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