Archaeologists excavating at biblical Shiloh, an ancient site in the West Bank, report the discovery of new ruins that may be linked to the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle.
The team from Associates for Biblical Research (ABR) has uncovered additional walls of a large structure, which they believe could be part of the Tabernacle complex. This structure's east-to-west orientation and dimensions appear to align with biblical descriptions of the portable sanctuary where the Ark of the Covenant was housed.
Dr. Scott Stripling, director of the Tel Shiloh excavation, stated that the recent discovery of a southern wall now allows researchers to reconstruct the building's full dimensions, aiding in the evaluation of its significance. The ABR team had previously found a large Iron Age structure in 2025 that appeared consistent with biblical accounts of the Tabernacle.
In addition to the structural findings, archaeologists have unearthed several ritual-related artifacts near the site, including ceramic pomegranates and murex shells. The murex shells are particularly noteworthy, as they were historically used to produce the blue dye mentioned in scripture for priestly garments. The location of many of these shells also corresponds with biblical instructions for sacred offerings.
Further excavations have also revealed more about the city's defensive systems, with the uncovering of a gate complex and associated rooms. These fortifications provide insights into the ancient city's construction and defense strategies. Researchers tentatively suggest these findings might relate to the gate complex mentioned in the biblical account of Eli's death.
While the discoveries have generated excitement, researchers emphasize that no Ark of the Covenant has been found, and definitive proof of the structure being the biblical Tabernacle is still pending. Shiloh is described in scripture as a significant religious center where the Tabernacle stood for over 300 years.
The Ark of the Covenant, described in the Bible as a chest built by the Israelites after their Exodus from Egypt and housing the Ten Commandments, vanishes from the biblical record before the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. The Tabernacle itself is dated to around 1445 BC, with Moses reportedly placing the stone tablets inside.