I like the theory that it could have potentially been some kind of nuclear power source neat. Not very likely, but possible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNVnen4v0kc

I havent watched this one but its only 30 mins so ill proably give it a go.

It is interesting though that these stories about the ark involve soldiers washing their equipment.

So, I could not find an original source for that. Did find this tik tok, cant even find the ancient aliens episode where I swear it talked about soldiers washing their swords and attire and stuff after being near it or it cracking open or something.

https://www.tiktok.com/@watch_the_rabbit_hole/video/7216353470624894209?lang=en

Really like some of the ideas in this reddit thread. BLEH

https://www.reddit.com/r/HighStrangeness/comments/117gaeg/was_the_ark_of_the_covenant_a_nuclear_device/

While I could not find the source about the soldiers washing swords. I did find some interesting stuff. Including a very old book meant to teach adolescents about the jewish religion from what it looks like.

https://www.google.ca/books/edition/The_Bible_for_Young_People/

I really, really thought this was strange. When I first looked at the image, I thought it looked almost like a tablet. Dumb right?

https://youtu.be/oe6S4Uzipj4?t=590

Weird. Right? Anyway, thought this a really interesting story as well, but likely bullshit. Its one of the top results on youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ay1vFfkji8