In the mists of history, a man builds a mammoth wooden structure, an ark. He collects every kind of animal, herds them into the ark, and carefully notes each species in his care on a dozen gold-plated tablets. After the rains come and then recede, the tablets are scattered, and only three survive.
Many have been drawn into a desperate pursuit of evidence that would prove the existence of this man's grand ship--often to their own peril. But no proof has ever been found-until now.
This epic tale traces remnants of these legendary tablets through centuries and across continents to modern times, where a talented American archaeologist, Arianna, dreams of exploring the cave cities near her grandmother's home in Cappadocia, Turkey.
While excavating those caves, Arianna learns more about life and death than she could ever have expected. For Arianna, the search for the tablets brings new spiritual discoveries and a romantic awakening, and places her on a a collision course with the men who will stop at nothing to exploit her and the tablets.