Page Content (OCR)
182 dence, and archaeological research indicate that the Ark was placed precisely on the extraordinary rock on which Abra- ham was ready to sacrifice his son Isaac; its Hebrew designa- tion, Even Shatiyah, means “Foundation Stone,” and Jewish legends hold that it is from it that the world will be re-cre- ated. Nowadays it is covered over and surrounded by the Dome of the Rock (Fig. 84). (Readers can find more about the sacred rock and its enigmatic cave and secret subterra- nean passages in The Earth Chronicles Expeditions.) Though these were not monumental measurements com- pared to the skyscraping ziggurats, the Temple, when com- pleted, was truly magnificent; it was also unlike any other contemporary temple in that part of the world. No iron or iron tools were used for its erection upon the platform (and absolutely none in its operation—all the utensils were of cop- per or bronze), and the building was inlaid inside with gold; even the nails holding the golden plates in place were made of gold. The quantities of gold used (just “for the Holy of THE END OF DAYS FIGURE 84