article_snippet.sent: Israeli scholars are furious after new flooring was fitted 'behind Israeli scholars backs' by the Muslim authority in charge of Judaism's holiest site - potentially covering up clues to the location of the 'Lost Ark'.
article_snippet.sent: But when carpet was lifted, carpet revealed previously undocumented ancient floor designs - which could point to where the gold-cased Ark of the Covenant was buried 2,500 years ago.
article_snippet.sent: Hidden: Workers place carpets over ancient floor designs in the cave under the Dome of the Rock, which Israeli scholars are angry Israeli scholars did not get the chance to document before Israeli scholars were covered .
article_snippet.sent: Scholars have suggested the flooring may give a clue as to where the Ark of the Covenant - imagined here in the 1981 Indiana Jones film - is hidden, which Jewish tradition says is buried under the Dome . '
article_snippet.sent: Muslims believe it enshrines the large rock slab where Muslim tradition says the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.
article_snippet.sent: Ancient Jewish traditions say the Ark of the Covenant. which contained the Ten Commandments, may have been hidden away in a chamber when a third Temple was destroyed.
article_snippet.sent: In 1999, the Muslim authorities who administer the holiest site where Jews can pray dug an enormous hole 12 metres, or 40 feet, deep as part of construction for an underground prayer area, dumping 10,000 tons of earth in a nearby valley and an east Jerusalem dump.
highlights_snippet.sent: Some hope Some may lead to chamber where Ark of the Covenant is hidden .
  