I am very much aware of Axum, but the problem is every tribe in that area claims to have the original Ark. Although it is interesting that they practice a very old form of Judiasm which could indicate they came from Israel at the time the Ark was taken away into hiding.
Personally, I like Ron Wyatt's claim better. He says that Jesus' blood dripped directly from the Cross through a crack formed by the earthquake onto the Ark, which had been placed underground there centuries before by Jeremiah. He goes on to say that the Ark remains there to this day.
Neat theory, but neither gentleman could be described as an authority on the matter.