Why do the Ark of the Covenant, Mary's reliquary box, and Jesus' Coffer all have the same imagery? Was the Ark the container of the Covenant, the Ten Commandments, or the Chalice? Does the image of the Shroud of Turin contain a bioelectric field? These questions and others will be explored in The Ark, The Shroud, and Mary. Author Philip Gardiner recently won the acclaim of both scholars and the reading public with The Serpent Grail, which united three of the most mysterious objects known to man—the Grail, Elixir, and Philosophers Stone. Now, in this unique and thought-provoking work Gardiner proves that the Ark of the Covenant, the Shroud of Turin, and Mary are united in ways never before imagined. Travelling across the world, from Rome to India, Portugal to Egypt, Gardiner uncovers the trail of the Ark and finds that it does not lead to Ethiopia, as many believe, but instead in a direction that nobody could have imagined. The trail of the Ark takes Gardiner on a hunt into the very heart of an ancient secret society with clandestine meetings in far-off lands. Uniting the myth, tradition, and language of the Ark with the Shroud of Turin, Gardiner then goes on to re-date it, reveal how it was made, and identify whose image it actually recreates. Through his new-found contacts in the world of secret societies, Gardiner then shows how this incredible secret was protected by a dual brotherhood throughout time and was the secret source of the enlightenment spoken of by numerous orders from the Sufis to the Knights Templar. The Ark, The Shroud, and Mary outshines The Da Vinci Code for the simple reason that it is the factual story of one man's fight to uncover the truth.

Is there life after death? Is there a world outside our own? WHAT IF ANCIENT PEOPLE ALREADY KNEW THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS? Acclaimed author Philip Gardiner proves that our ancestors were far more advanced ''scientifically and spiritually'' than previously believed. Through a special technique, ancient Egyptians and others were able to journey to other realities within themselves - in short, to the Otherworld. The author undergoes his own experiments to prove the point. Gardiner also shows that ancient people knew more about their place in the universe than previously thought. They placed buildings and objects in specific places around the globe because these points had a distinct relation to the universal and human wave resonance of electromagnetism. When the ancients journeyed to these places, they were joining with God and visualizing the effect. The remarkable conclusions and discoveries in this book not only dispel some age - old myths, but also address questions such as: ....Is there a universal frequency that allows the mind to travel into other realms? Does the Great Pyramid hold a real secret to the quantum realm? What are those mysterious round towers found scattered around our planet? Is ESP real? What Gateways to the Otherworld uncovers are not just tales of ancient trips to other realms, nor theories on why stone circles were built in specific locations, but real answers based on thorough research and science.

A fascinating examination of the most famous religious relics of all time Since the early days of the Church, Christians have venerated religious relics. In this fascinating book, Steven Sora tells the story of Christianity's most treasured artifacts-the Ark of the Covenant, Noah's Ark, the True Cross, the Spear of Destiny, the Shroud of Turin, and the Holy Grail-as well as lesser-known objects such as the Veil of Veronica and the bones and blood of Biblical figures such as St. Luke. After describing when and where these relics first came to light and what miraculous powers people believe they possess, he discusses what modern science can tell us about these much-revered objects-and what science still fails to explain. Steven Sora (Easton, PA) is the author of The Lost Treasure of the Knights Templar: Solving the Oak Island Mystery and the forthcoming Secret Societies of America's Elite: From the Knights Templar to Skull and Bones.

Some say the end of mankind is near. Some say that financial turmoil is part of the process, along with global warming, warfare and the spread of mass psychosis. Children are fed drugs to keep them calm; nations are invaded by their neighbors; the climate is changing all around us; celebrities become our gods and materialism is the new mantra. But what is the real truth? Is there an answer to all this? If our material lives are making us happier, then why so many self-help books, films and philosophies? It can't be denied that the times are changing. Every day sees new challenges for our species, while we cause mayhem and madness on an unbelievable scale. But there is a ratio to it all, a rhyme and reason behind everything that we do and everything that affects us. Ancient Code is a collection of 20 fascinating essays - from today's top authors and researchers - which takes a look at the Ancient Code, our relationship with it and how it relates to 2012. You will learn about a power that was first hidden and then lost over time. Many have sought to rediscover it in order to wield it selfishly. Like mad magicians seeking to rule the world, men of renown have fleetingly seen the incredible nature of this Code but all too often they have missed the point. The Ancient Code needs no material gain, no hatred, warfare or drugs, because YOU are the key to the Code... Featuring: Brian Allan, Jack Allis, Kala Ambrose, Nick Ashron, Philip Coppens, Robert Feather, Philip Gardiner, Dr. Mitchell E. Gibson, Andrew Gough, Jasmine Gould, Dan Green, Dr. John Jay Harper, June-Elleni Lane, Janice Manning, Marshall Masters, Brian Mayne, Steve Mitchell, Nick Pope, Dennis Price and Colin Wilson.

The Shroud at the Court analyses, through various essays characterized by a multidisciplinary and diachronic perspective, the strict ties created between the Shroud and the Savoy court from the fifteenth to twentieth centuries. Presented as proof of the divine legitimacy of Savoy lineage, the Shroud (of which the Savoy dynasty came into possession in 1453, keeping it first in Chambéry and then from 1578 in Turin) was central to their propagandistic strategies. The court – its spaces, protagonists, and rituals – became the natural setting for a relationship reinforced over time through customs, ceremonies, and images intended to celebrate the excellence of the Savoy, both within their own state and in Europe’s “society of princes”. Contributors are Paola Caretta, Paolo Cornaglia, Paolo Cozzo, Davide De Franco, Bernard Dompnier, Laura Gaffuri, Pierangelo Gentile, Luisella Giachino, Andrea Merlotti, Frédéric Meyer, Andrea Nicolotti, Almudena Pérez de Tudela, Laurent Ripart, Alessandro Serra and Franca Varallo.

Armenia was the first country to recognize Christianity as the official state religion in 301 AD, twelve years before Constantine's decree granting tolerance to Christianity within the Roman Empire. Ever since, Armenia has claimed the privilege of being the first Christian nation, and the wealth of Christian art produced in Armenia since then is testimony to the fundamental importance of the Christian faith to the Armenian people. This extensive new survey of Armenian Christian art, published to accompany a major exhibition at The British Library, celebrates the Christian art tradition in Armenia during the last 1700 years. The extraordinary quality and range of Armenian art which is documented includes sculpture, metalwork, textiles, ceramics, wood carvings and illuminated manuscripts and has been drawn together from collections throughout the world—many of the examples have never before been seen outside Armenia. In his authoritative text, Dr. Vrej Nersessian, Curator at The British Library, charts the development of Christianity in Armenia. This fascinating history is essential to an understanding of the art and religious tradition of Armenia, a country in which the sense of the sacred extends well beyond the purely religious, infiltrating the entire fabric of Armenian affairs to create a fascinating culture. This sumptuously illustrated book will be of immense value to anyone with an interest in Byzantine art and culture, the history of Christianity and the history of Armenia and the Middle Orient.