Finders of the Lost Ark

Finders of the Lost Ark? [Excerpts]

The late Ron Wyatt, a self-styled amateur archaeologist, claimed to have found Noah's Ark, the Ark of the Covenant, and the original stones of the Ten Commandments. Indiana Jones should have been so lucky. However, none of Wyatt's discoveries were ever independently verified.

Archaeology in search of a headline, or even archaeology that's too eager to "prove the Bible," is prone to sensationalism and error.

Another leading Ark stalker is Robert Cornuke of the Colorado Springs–based Biblical Archaeology Search and Exploration Institute. Cornuke has claimed to have found Noah's Ark on a mountain in Iran. Well, not the Ark itself, necessarily—but something made of rock that looks like an ark.

Richard Lanser, a member of Associates for Biblical Research, has extensively critiqued Cornuke's discovery. He notes the contrast between the cautionary descriptions Cornuke uses when he's on the record and the grandiose claims spouted by his colleagues and publicity machine.

Meanwhile, John Morris of the Institute for Creation Research has concluded the discovery is of geologic interest only. It's not an ark, petrified or not. Todd Bolen notes on his blog.bibleplaces.com that Cornuke told a newspaper reporter that his discoveries offer "hope that there is a God." Bolen writes, "There are so many confirmations of the biblical record from the historical and archaeological sources that … we don't need that extra one if it is in fact a false hope."

The work of real archaeologists in recent years has brought renewed attention to the City of David, the oldest area of Jerusalem. They have uncovered the New Testament–era Pool of Siloam. Nearby, archaeologists are excavating what may be the palace of King David.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/may/12.62.html