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I have been to Lalibela and Axum and have seen the churches in person...and the church in Axum that holds the Ark. All of them are holy places and the stonework in Lalibela is incredible. One issue I have with your video is that at the point where you talk about the inside of the church of St. George, you show a picture of a roof with painted angel faces. This is actually from an old church in Gondor and not from Lalibela. I have the same photos. Ethiopia is a beautiful country with a rich history. A very proud people and happy to be a part of that family. If you ever want to tour the area, I would suggest looking up a fellow Brit in Ethiopia - Mark Chapman and his tour company - Tesfa Tours.

What better way to hide the Ark than have lots of replicas?

I was in Ethiopia in the late 1970s. It was just after the revolution, I remember seeing a lot of military around in public places. My father bought me a canvas mural from a street trader. It is painted in primitive styles and we had it translated. It tells the story of Queen Makeda (Queen of Sheba) and how she bore a son with King Solomon. One of the gifts the son took to his mother was the Ark of the Covenenant containing the Law of Moses tablets. If you are interested I can email you photographs of the mural with the story. I read the Sign and the Seal and my mural fits in well with the legends he explores.

So "they" say 24 years cannot be correct for the churches to be built, but the Great Pyramid at Giza was absolutely built in 20 years according to "they"!!!

Mind-boggling to think of the amount of work required to carve this out.

Yea, the Ark is in there. No, the priest will not let anyone in to see it. Schrodingers Ark?

Sure you are working your way down my bucket list!! These churches have fascinated me for some time. Another interesting and compelling video. You work so hard thanks Matt.

I am very happy to see the churches of Lalibela getting some attention, as there is not a lot of channels covering this. I think they are very interesting and should get more attention. The mystery of the Ark is also very compelling. I read the Sign and the Seal and it is fascinating!

Ethiopian Orthodox churches parade their ark replicas around during an annual holy day celebration.

Amazing what people were able to do. Who or what group would take on such a construction today?

Can you imagine the faces of people finding those buildings carved in stone... It's like *Really !?!*

It’s always interesting to think about what happened to the Ark, and what will happen if it is ever found again. It’s clearly one of the most influential artifacts in human history.

That's a very comprehensive and well-document summary of the whole story linking the Ark of the Covenant and Ethiopia Matt. Most of what that has been told about it most probably consists in legends and subjective accounts. We can reasonably assume that what Ullendorf saw during his visit to the Church of Mary of Zion in 1941 was probably a "decoy" ! Who can imagine that the Ethiopian keepers of the Ark would have left almost free access to such a wonder just after a time period during which their land was brutally occupied by the Italian invadors for 5 years of war. If this wonder has ever existed, it must have been kept in a much safer place since these traumatic events. Thus, the mystery will certainly remain for many years...

Thought of Kailasa Temple thru the whole video, nice mention at the end. Would be fun to hear your thoughts of other structures in india.

So interesting. Although I do think that the recessed temples in India being so incredibly ornate are even more baffling to behold. Where and how did they dispose of all the excavated material? Mysteries wrapped in enigmas, I find it all fascinating. Thanks so much for the outstanding quality of your efforts. I remain your devoted fan on the Olympic Peninsula. 🙂👍. TNQ

The ark is in a U.S military warehouse, I saw it on a documentary with Harrison Ford.

Never stop admiring the wonder of the ancient architects. These were extraordinary people that made things happened, almost the impossible to happen. Tks for the video Matt.

This is one of your best videos. Thoughtful research and attention to detail.

Thats cool Thanks for making another wonderfull video Reaspect from Latvia 🧡

Fascinating! I was totally unaware of this entire complex. Should be a good read.

For those of you who are skeptical of what Lalibela did, today, like Lalibela, 4 churches are built with just one stone, by one person and when he built it he used only hamer. And what do you say? If you don't believe me, you can search the 'new Lalibela'. and also For those of you who are skeptical of Is the Ark of the Covenant in Ethiopia? you can read history of queen sheba

even if the real Ark was unveiled and revealed to the world some people STILL won't believe

Who else talks like thiiiiis

The windows date the church of St, George. Interestingly shown as the top of the obelisk of Axum in the portrait of King Gebre Lalibela. They could not have been recarved so this is an intriguing piece of artistic licence. A nearby church Biete Denagel actually shows this carving style. It is 240 miles from Lalibela to Axum. An eight hour drive today but previously a one month walk.

The way how the priests guard the ark remind me of the hollywood film "the fifth Element". Also I always find the swastika windows to be a wonder of themselves. Eritrea/Ethiopia is just so rich in history.

Love your videos mate, good job. x

Guys, we don't have to fight. I'm okay with bumping up to 9 Wonders.

As always, excellent video sir!

Thanx again , Matt❤⛰❤really great stuff💛

Thank you.. i was hoping you would discuss this structure.

ቅዱስ ላልበላ ሆይ ለደጅህ አብቃይ ኢትዮጵያ ለዝለአለም ትንር

The people that carved these buildings from the volcanic rock, was so wise and did much more than simply crave amazing structures, they also included lots of instructions for later generations, such as: 1. They carved them, in such a way that later generations could build them from stone and wood. Look at the ceiling and windows. 4:46 and 3:43 2. They also showed how it could have been build by blocks (2:29, to the right) and also how a structure would look like if it had been hit by violent heat, (look at the right), and finally they also show that having stones hanging high up over the entrance is not a problem, and that it is easier to remove all the stone high up to the right, but down below is not important to flatten out the floor, again the building at 2:29. 3. The building at 4:02 and 8:56, shows how a roof should be build with wood, and how overhead windows can be integrated as arches. Again the carved, showing how blocks could be used, in the future and also how it is easier/more important for them to create the columns and walls of the "church", than making the roof perfect. So the part of the structure, that is easies to reach (the roof), has the poors finish. It is as if they wanted the roof to look burned, so that the roof beams after the tiles was burned away. Wonder why these structures often are made from volcanic stone? These are in a regien that has some of the most active volcanos, so IMHO they were hit with super heated ash with no Oxygen available and later dug out. Many other structures are under the volcanic rock, and the tunnels are paths inside these buried structures. They dug out the ones that was most important for them. At least they got the message and started building with wood and stones and can be seen here: migrationology.com/yemrehanna-kristos-church-lalibela/

I once visited Petra in Jordan once the capital of the Nabataean Empire and its a shame that these monuments are of interest to some and not even known about by others. A great piece of educational history. Grazie.

Yesss the ark is in Ethiopia but no one can see it unless the priest who is assigned to protect it......... And lalibela is really the wonder of the earth

A rainy Memorial Day weekend spent with AA/Matt🤗 Peace. Thanks for pictures.

I want a closer look at those second story window frames. That would help my research.

An amazing structure no doubt Matt, but have you come across the rock cut temples in Ellora, India - the Kailash Temple is absolutely incredible!

Thank you for a great presentation of our real history🙏👍👏

With the basic Latin translation of pyre (fire) and mid (center) I wonder what would be inside a pyramid that is hot? The ark(s) are described as having divine heat, making their guardians die blind with cancer, etc ...perhaps they're cases of uranium? Maybe the ark was a fuel source for a large mechanical device? I love speculating over this kind of stuff. Thanks for the videos.

Thanks for this , really interesting :)

Amazing but what I want know is how would you go about carving some thing like that to day? What tools would you use would it be possible by hand by some one today.

Whata great documentary and great questions are asked.

Nice one Matt.

Fascinating archaeology! Well done.

Biblically speaking, it is a possibility for the Ark of the Covenant to be in Ethiopia. The Queen of Sheba ( now Ethiopia) was recorded in the Bible to visit King Solomon during the end of his life. They had a child together and theologically speaking she accepted his faith and became a Jew. When he was certain of his coming death he sent her, their son and accompanying priests, teachers, and accomplished artists with her back to her home to keep them safe. This is where it gets interesting. It is theorized he sent the Ark with her because the days of Jerusalem were numbered. At Solomon’s death the city was sacked, but the Ark of the Covenant was never found.

@Ancient Architects, Looking at your older videos for comparison I have noticed that you have changed your speaking technique. I have identified this type of technique from other people in the past also. What type of technique is that? How can I learn more about it?

Did wonder if you’d ever talk about the rock cut church 🌟🌟

I heard someone maybe Graham Hancock say the priest that guarded the ark was blind or almost blind and when asked about it he said "the ark is a thing of fire"

Wouldn't like to find this place in the dark

The piles of rock dust from sculpting this out of the ground would be mixed with water to make mud rock and spread up the walls and on floors like plaster, and used for other applications. I'd say this was totally capable of being made within the stated two decades. They used sharpened tree limbs and repeatedly struck the rock which would crumble like dust. This is still done today. After the outside and inside plaster had dried to support the structure they were able to fully expand the inside rooms to make them one completely hollow space. The mud rock plaster didn't go anywhere, it mostly stayed there for its construction use.

Great vid bud

Wow! I love the video! Lalibela is amazing ❤️

Please, sir, get out of my head. I've told you before, you always make a video about something I've just read into that week. I literally watched a Hancock talk and read his book The Sign and The Seal earlier this week... do you have cameras in my house or something? xD

I know an Ethiopian woman who insists that they have the Ark and they are not telling where it is.

Thank you for this. The truth always sets you free. It also points out a common thread; some people will use the fact that a topic has little known information and will fill in the blanks with their version to grab attention and sell books because they “know.” Until someone actually finds out the truth, but by then they’ve sold a lot of book.

Timing impeccable 🤘😜🤘

COOL VID

The layout of the Lalibela complex calls to mind the circular arc of the archetypal Hero's Journey, complete with the forth and back transitions through the Void of the "River Jordan" splitting the circle to separate Earthly from (N)Ether Realms. My intuition suggests starting in (1) before making a purposefully contemplative walk to (2) to proceed on a didactic, revelational tour of initiation which includes the crossing to an underground (n)ether realm after passing through the connection of (5-6) in order to find the way through dark tunnels to the welcome reprieve of Light provided at each Temple (7-11) before "Crossing" back, enlightened by knowledge and experience and thus allowed a dynamic newfound appreciation of (1) as (12) via (1-11).

You are redefining the wonders of the world. Your work is invaluable, Matt.

Greeting's , very good video. Thank you for the research and sharing it with us, no comment on the ark . be safe.

If they're hiding it, then WHY would they tell you they had it and why not show you a generic "replica"?

I've also heard that the Ark is a power source that powered the great pyramid of Giza in which the pyramids construction amplified the power and wirelessly sent it through all of Egypt. That was what the ancients used for powering their tools for shaping stone and levitating megolithic rocks into placement

The Ark of the Covenant is interior, a symbol of an inner process. As for the Churches, there's no accurate record of their formation, they might well be pre-deluvian, like other such structures.

Would be so awesome to see those Ethiopian churches in person.....

I was also thinking Kailasa is way more intricate and mysterious! Don't get me wrong...both sites are amazing but Kailasa takes the cake.

A Truly wonderful video.

4:00min how about, perhaps a structure somewhere else made of this same stone that no one knows where the quarry is ?

Nice Nice buildings. That must be allot of work. About the ark of convenant. Well that's a big story.

Very interested

I saw this church in my dream. I don't recollect seeing the pic of it before. And now I see this video 😮

Interestingly that greenish yellow stain is the same colour the surface of granite goes when acid etched.

The people who procure the ark all develop an eye condition and die early. I cant remember where I saw that but it is something to look into. I had it I would also have decoy as well.

In the apocryphal book (that is, noncanonical book) of Second Maccabees, chapter 2 (verses 1-8), we read that the prophet Jeremiah "following a divine revelation, ordered that the tent [i.e. the tabernacle of meeting] and the ark [i.e. the ark of the covenant] should accompany him and how he went off to the mountain which Moses climbed to see God's inheritance [i.e. Mt. Nebo; see Deuteronomy 31:1-4]. When Jeremiah arrived there, he found a room in a cave in which he put the tent, the ark, and the altar of incense; then he blocked up the entrance." (vv. 4-5) There is some debate as to whether or not this second-hand account (see v. 1) is trustworthy. So when did the Ark of the Covenant disappear? It seems that it disappeared sometime immediately prior to the Babylonian Captivity in the 6th century BC. Oftentimes when we ask when did the Ark of the Covenant disappear, we also ask why? Why did God allow the Ark to be removed? We must keep in mind that not only did God allow the Ark to be removed from the Temple but that He also allowed the nation to be removed from the Promised Land and the Temple to be destroyed. This was in fulfillment of the consequences which He had outlined to Moses before the nation had even entered the land. The nation was allowed to return and the Temple was rebuilt but the Ark was not permitted to return.

Maybe Ullendorff said there's nothing special about the ark as a means of protection for it. If he'd said it was the real thing, the place would have been besieged within hours.

Why would the builders go to such lengths to build this church in such fine detail then leave the walls of the containing hole in such a rough condition? It is almost as if they were planning to lift it out in one piece!.

It's very weird that there so persistent in saying they hold the arc, but nobody crazy has ever tried to raid it?

It is a really amazing site. I kinda think that was the spot that the ark used to be in and now where they say the real one is located is supposed to throw us off too with yet another decoy and the actual real one is somewhere else not even on that continent...I think I just might know where too. If it did even exist at all.

Yes, Kailasa temple and the Ellora caves are far bigger wonders where more stone has ”disapeared”. If there is an ark so radiant, it would be kept shielded off, not behind a curtain.

Have you ever watched The Knowledge of Forever Time by Damon T Berry? I think he hit the nail on the head on some things its worth the time to watch all 8 episodes

Don't know about the rest of the vid, but was absolutely stunned by the news of the "Dodgers horrific collapse against Nationals" headline that was at 7:56.......

They should build a Church on it.... oh wait

How do you know if it's a replica if you never seen the original one to begin with?

Love Hancocks - Sign and Seal 👌🏽👍🏼

Keep ng Solomon and the Queen of Sheba had a son. He took the Ark of the Covenant to Ethiopia and it has been there ever since.

Who's year in 2020 that saw that one tiktok

Just to clarify, these churches didn't appear out of the blue, there are hundreds more than 400 churches in the northern Ethiopia that are made of a single rock...but lalibela was different in that it was not made out of the sides of mountains, and that it was not only partially hewnrs.

The Ark of the Covenant is a generator that still works. It’s buried in the right paw of the Sphinx. It’s powered by the sun. It was left there by the Andromedans.

there are a lot of fun theories and interesting archeology surrounding Jewish worship. could probably do a whole mini series on the temple mount, city of david, mt. Gerizim, elephant island, and Tel Arad.

Fascinating

You could get with Chills and we could drive everybody crazy!

Hopefully they can contract someone to do remediation on the foundation and stop it from falling. Ancient sites that have been destroyed should be rebuilt or repaired.

The Ark is the Bark of Ammon or Amun. You can see depictions of it at several Egyptian temples .

Has anyone ever done a count of all of the “eighth wonder of the world” out there?.....

Warning: Mute the sound and turn on the captions

Thank You.

It seems highly unlike these were repurposed fortifications, the design is completely wrong. How would you defend something when you are in a hole? These were clearly always meant to be places of worship with a 'privileged' entry point. P.S they got rid of the spoils by digging another hole and filling it with them...

interesting that according to local legends or texts people were working on the church at day and angels / gods working at night. Wasn't it similar with the keyhole mozu tombs in Osaka ? Maybe there's something to it, other than being just a metaphoric phrase

i love this site

What a crazy church! Amazing