Product Description

Treasure, tombs, secret codes and hidden clues, a brutal murder, the Knights Templar and 2000 year old relics - it could be the premise for a new archaeological thriller. Except that it is real. What begins as a treasure hunt and a bit of fun and adventure, leads an Englishman to the tiny French village of Rennes-le-Chateau, where an ordinary man unlocked a mysterious puzzle set up by a priest 100 years ago. Abbe Berenger Sauniere became mysteriously and fabulously rich after finding a hidden parchment when carrying out repairs to the Church of Mary Magdalene. Subsequent to Sauniere's death in 1917, speculation was rife about the possible source of his sudden wealth.Some have said it was proceeds from the sale of an ancient or a Royal Treasure. Or it might have been hush money paid by the Vatican to keep Sauniere quiet, but if so what did Sauniere find that they were so afraid of? As many believe, the mysterious priest had embedded clues in his church decoration leading to a treasure or a secret, and the source of his wealth. When Ben Hammott enters the church he soon spots something that everyone else has somehow missed - a key that deciphers some of the embedded clues.Painstakingly deciphering and following the clues, Ben is led to a discovery of 2000-year-old artefacts, a treasure of gold, and a Knights Templar tomb containing a body under a shroud! The area surrounding Rennes-le-Chateau features prominently in the bloodline legend which follows the premise that Mary Magdalene escaped Jerusalem with child, sailed to France and settled in the region. Centuries old manuscripts also support this legend. Mitochondrial DNA tests carried out on a hair sample give the body a Middle Eastern profile, rare in Europe with an incidence of only 4 percent - Are the legends and the tomb linked?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #349806 in Books
• Published on: 2008-09-20
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 688 pages

Review
This book tells of the mysterious happenings at Rennes-le-Chateau, a small village in the South of France. However, this is not the usual regurgitated story about the mystery or the mysterious priest named Berenger Sauniere who found something hidden in his church that made him a very wealthy man, this book brings new information and objects to the table. There has been much speculation on what it was Sauniere found but until now it was just that: speculation. Ben Hammott has done something that it seems no other person who has visited the ancient church before has been able to. Ben has managed to solve some of Sauniere's clues that over 100 years ago he cleverly and subtly embedded in his church decorations. These clues led to some amazing discoveries, including a lost Templar Tomb, 2000 year old relics and some treasure!All of Ben's research and discoveries are revealed in detail and with the inclusion of more than 300 photographs you really get a feel for how Ben managed to solve the clues and then followed them to make his discoveries. It is like you are there walking the landscape with him. Ben's refreshing, and at times humorous way of writing is a joy and makes for a very pleasurable, entertaining and informative read.This book is a valuable addition to anybody interested or researching the Rennes-leChateau mystery.A.P.Oppenheimer ResearcherI know you think I am biased, maybe I am ... but its a good book. The layout (which i believe was done mostly by Bill Kersey) appears to me to be excellent. Easy on the eye. The font size (that some of you here criticised) seems to me to be the correct size too. The illustrations are good, plentiful and seem to me to be all relevant. I must say, this must have been a labour of love for all concerned. It must have been a mammoth job to get it finally into print. It looks prefessional even though it was not 'professionally' published. Its a very different animal to the 'usual' books concerned with Rennes Le Chateau. Its just one persons story about how he became embroiled in Rennes Research. And the unfolding of that story ... All the infamous papers are there ... and the other items discovered. How will you interpret it all? Now you can make up your own mind ... when you read it straight from the horses mouth as it were ... : )Sandy Hamblett Archaeologist.

From the Back Cover

Treasure, tombs, secret codes and hidden clues, a brutal murder, the Knights Templar and 2000 year old relics - it could be the premise for a new archaeological thriller. Except that it is real.
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What begins as a treasure hunt and a bit of fun and adventure, leads an Englishman to the tiny French village of Rennes-le-Chateau, where an ordinary man unlocked a mysterious puzzle set up by a priest 100 years ago.

Abbé Bérenger Sauniere became mysteriously and fabulously rich after finding a hidden parchment when carrying out repairs to the Church of Mary Magdalene.

Subsequent to Sauniere's death in 1917, speculation was rife about the possible source of his sudden wealth. Some have said it was proceeds from the sale of an ancient or a Royal Treasure? Or it might have been hush money paid by the Vatican to keep Sauniere quiet, but if so what did Sauniere find that they were so afraid of?

As many believe, the mysterious priest had embedded clues in his church decoration leading to a treasure or a secret, & the source of his wealth. When Ben Hammott enters the church he soon spots something that everyone else has somehow missed--a key that deciphers some of the embedded clues.

Painstakingly deciphering and following the clues, Ben is led to a discovery of 2000-year-old artefacts, a treasure of gold, and a Knights Templar tomb containing a shrouded body!

The area surrounding Rennes-le-Chateau features prominently in the bloodline legend which follows the premise that Mary Magdalene escaped Jerusalem with child, sailed to France and settled in the region. Centuries old manuscripts also support this legend.

Mitochondrial DNA tests carried out on a hair sample give the body a Middle Eastern profile, rare in Europe with an incidence of only 4% - Are the legends and the tomb linked?

About the Author
Ben Hammott's life commenced at the outset of this adventure when he assumed this nom-de-guerre as a protection against threats and actual physical destruction of property. But for Berenger Sauniere the Priest, who prepared an elaborate series of tests and security measures to protect the lives of himself and those near to him, Ben Hammott was such a man. The Priest needed a man of integrityand ingenuity possessing special qualities to whom he could entrust secrets for a future generation to discover and reveal to the world aghast. Now, in this future generation Ben Hammott (an anagram of 'The Tombman), reveals all. But there is yet more!

Customer Reviews

Thought provoking!
This is a book of two halves. You have the, sometimes hilarious and sometimes thrilling, story unfolding of the various escapades of this amateur archaeologist Ben Hammott as he makes his way through the French countryside on his quest to find the priest's secret treasure hoard.

Then there are the chapters on the incredibly detailed clue solving and treasure hunts as the author makes his amazing discoveries. All accompanied by some of the most stunning images that I've ever seen in such a book that set the scene admirably, giving you the impression you are there joining in the fun and excitement of the hunt.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it is definitely in my Top Ten favourite list!

Atmospheric read, really sets the scene...
I was lucky enough to have read an advanced copy of Lost Tomb of the Knights Templar and I have to say it surprised me. Considering that Ben Hammott is not a professional writer he has written a fascinating and informative account of his trips to Rennes-le-Chateau, where he has found a tomb! (Who is it? Why are they buried there?) I have read a few other books on Rennes-le-Chateau but did not get the feeling that I was there with the author and see what he sees, for example the beautiful landscape surrounding the pretty French village. With Ben Hammott's book you get a real sense of what the view is like and Ben is very good at describing what he felt at the time and makes light of any fears he had, although I am sure he actually felt like he was in danger - like at the meeting with the sinister chaps at Rosslyn Chapel! - but his determination to solve the mystery that he stumbled upon (by working out the clues in the Priest, Sauniere's church) continues throughout the book and you really get into the mind of Ben Hammott as he explains the clues that he deciphered, which helped him to proceed with his investigation.

Not only do we read about Ben Hammott's treasure hunting escapades in the remote village and climbing through caves, trekking up steep hills and mountains, but we get an insight into the every day Hammott, working at home but having his life disrupted by eerie people turning up at his door and there's even an...explosive surprise!

All-in-all I found this book an enjoyable read, (all 688 pages of it!) and found the pictures in it (331!) assisted with placing in one's mind the pretty little village anybody interested in Rennes-le-Chateau (of Da Vinci code fame) wants to visit.

I would recommend this book if you have an interest in the Da Vinci Code, Rennes-le-Chateau, treasure hunting, adventure or mysteries! Ben Hammott has been likened to Indiana Jones by a presenter from America and I have to say I agree! He has climbed down lots of caves, hiked up mountains in the middle of the night and discovered lots of secrets around Rennes-le-Chateau, like the bottle messages left by Sauniere, the Priest. Fantastic read - I would have given this book 10 stars if it was available.

The only thing I would say is that there are some (minor) grammar mistakes, but Ben is the first to admit (at the front of the book!) that he does make such mistakes when writing and it really didn't really bother me. Great book, buy it!

Oh, one more thing to add - Ben Hammott is featured in the recent documentary film Bloodline, directed by Bruce Burgess, and watching that before reading the book really gives it extra depth and you are able to see what Ben talks about in his book...enjoyed the bits at the end of the film but not so much the talking at the beginning.

Bloodline [2008] [2007]

Engrossing study
The theories on Rennes-le-Chateau and Sauniere are many and varied, and the original story promises to be the greatest story ever told, although it hasn't been fully told. In this book Hammott promises that he has now told it, and offers a final solution that answers all the questions.

It's written in a contemporary, conversational style that makes good reading but may annoy some traditionalists. He takes you through his following of the 'clues' and on to some astounding revelations. I'll leave the book to explain what they are, but suffice to say that to anyone interested in the mystery, they are (if genuine) enormous news.

The real doubt is not about the quality of the book but the authenticity of the discoveries. In the meantime, it's a entertaining and engrossing read, especially fo anyone with an interest in RLC, the origins of Christianity and related subjects.