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The expedition negotiated digging rights with the Turkish government that then controlled Palestine, and in 1909 began to excavate just outside the walls of Jerusalem. They disguised their quest by telling locals they were building schools and hospitals. Their quarry, however, was mythical.

“It was said to contain the Ten Commandments handed down to Moses by God, or alternately Aaron’s rod. Carried on long poles, anyone who touched it instantly died, according to legend,” says Ricca.

After months of digging just outside Jerusalem’s walls, clairvoyant Otto Von Bourg suddenly announced that the Ark was instead hidden on Mount Ararat, where Noah’s Ark had landed. T he expedition leaders immediately banned him from speaking further on the subject.

Historian and Dominican monk Fr Louis-Hugues Vincent joined the expedition, and was delighted by finds of ancient pottery shards, but the team grew increasingly frustrated as the Ark eluded them.

Yet a labyrinth of old tunnels beneath Jerusalem offered the possibility of success. “They were used as aqueducts, for military purposes, and perhaps for hiding treasures,” says Ricca.

With their digging lease running out, Dr Juvelius pointed to decoded Bible passages that suggested a third tunnel route to the Ark beneath the Dome of the Rock on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount — one of the holiest sites in Islam.

“Parker bribed the Dome’s watchmen, taking a crew of 12 men disguised as

Arabs into the holy site to dig after dark,” says Ricca. “Just like in The Raiders of the Lost Ark film, they dug in the Well of Souls, a cave beneath the Mount where the ground seems to echo from tunnels hidden below.”

For nine nights they dug into ancient tunnels, until they were discovered, prompting outrage among the locals.

“Protesters rioted through Jerusalem’s streets screaming for the Englishmen’s blood,” says Ricca. “They were accused of pillaging Biblical treasures. Locals claimed they’d stolen the Ark, and Mohammed’s sword, and Aaron’s rod, and practically every biblical treasure except the Holy Grail.”

Expedition

The expedition fled, reportedly hauling away two large bags. “They escaped with some treasures, but we don’t know what,” admits Ricca.

But questions remain. “I think Parker may have finally discovered where the Ark was hidden,” says Ricca.

“Even after being chased from Jerusalem he wanted to return immediately and continue digging under the Dome of the Rock. But no one has been allowed to dig there since, which makes it all the more tantalising.”

Six decades later in 1974, director George Lucas was toying with the idea of a movie about a 1930s archaeologist searching for supernatural treasure.

Screenwriter Philip Kaufman suggested the Ark of the Covenant, Steven Spielberg came on board to direct, and Raiders of the Lost Ark was born.

As for Parker, he didn’t get the treasure or the girl, dying unmarried in 1962 aged 83, while Astor wed and divorced several times, dying aged 54 in 1956.

True Raiders, by Brad Ricca is published by St Martin’s Press. ★ IT’S another action

adventure for Fleabag star Phoebe Waller- Bridge – on the set of Indiana Jones 5 here with Harrison Ford.

The actress, writer and director was spotted filming with the Hollywood legend on location in Sicily.

She’s in full archaeology ★

attire – stone- coloured breeches, a white shirt and khaki boots – while he wears top-to-toe chocolate brown.

In one scene, the 36 year- old is trying to drag Harrison (79) up by his parachute pack before the pair collapse in exhaustion in the mud.

Also on set are gladiators ★

and men in tunics rowing a Roman galley.

Phoebe plays Indy’s assistant in what will be Ford’s final outing as the man in the hat.

Some fans are predicting she could take over the iconic starring role.

rker may discovered re the Ark s hidden’