The Twi'lek Ark, a golden relic, originated on the planet of Ryloth. Throughout its existence, its ownership shifted numerous times. During the Clone Wars in 22 BBY, Emir Wat Tambor of the Confederacy of Independent Systems forcefully acquired it. Later, the Galactic Empire gained possession, placing it on a container transport in 3 BBY, which subsequently exploded in space. Miraculously surviving this destruction, the Ark eventually became part of the private collection of pirate queen Maz Kanata found on Takodana.
The Twi'lek Ark was constructed as a gilded rectangular container, adorned with gold plating. Four rings were affixed to its base, designed to accommodate two carrying poles. These poles facilitated the transportation of the ark. The lid featured two sculptures of kneeling Twi'leks, positioned to face each other, with their arms and lekku extended in a symbolic gesture.
In the inaugural year of the Clone Wars, specifically 22 BBY, a small army belonging to the Confederacy of Independent Systems, under the command of Wat Tambor, seized control of Ryloth. This planet serves as the homeworld for the Twi'lek species. Establishing his headquarters in Lessu, the capital city, Tambor assumed the title of Emir and began amassing a collection of valuable items, including the Twi'lek Ark. However, freedom fighters from the planet formed an alliance with the Galactic Republic to resist Tambor. Consequently, Tambor reluctantly instructed his tactical droid, TA-175, to prepare his shuttle for evacuation. Onboard this shuttle, the Emir accumulated all the treasures he had plundered from Ryloth. Ultimately, the Ark departed with the shuttle when TA-175 chose to leave without the Emir.
The Galactic Republic eventually emerged victorious from the Clone Wars, and its leader, Sheev Palpatine, proclaimed its transformation into the Galactic Empire. By 3 BBY, the Empire had come into possession of the Twi'lek Ark. During that year, the artifact was loaded onto the class four container transport designated 241. This transport was subsequently destroyed in space by the Spectres, an anti-Empire Rebel cell. The Rebels then salvaged and looted the remains of the transport.
During the era of the Cold War, the Twi'lek Ark was owned by Dok-Ondar, an Ithorian collector. He displayed it in his antiques shop located in Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu. The Moldwarp gambler Edmo Ectacle stole the Ark from Dok-Ondar, leading to a bounty being placed on his head. Later, the Ark became a part of Maz Kanata's collection of antiques and treasures on Takodana.
The Twi'lek Ark made its debut in Liberty on Ryloth, which is the twenty-first episode in season one of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The inclusion of the ark was intended as a reference to the Ark of the Covenant, as featured in the inaugural Indiana Jones film, Raiders of the Lost Ark. In that film, Indiana Jones and other characters embark on a quest to locate the missing artifact. George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, also served as a producer for the Indiana Jones franchise, hence the addition of the Twi'lek Ark as a nod to that connection.
For a period, a physical Ark prop was exhibited at Dok Ondar's Den of Antiquities within Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, but it has since been removed from display.
According to Cole Horton, he initiated the writing process for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge: Traveler's Guide to Batuu, a book intended to provide in-universe explanations for the Ark's various locations and its significance to the Twi'lek people. However, the decision was ultimately made to omit this material from the guide. Horton further clarified that the material for the book was likely discarded before the Ark was even incorporated into the park, suggesting that its removal from Galaxy's Edge was likely unrelated.
In both LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens and LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, a gold Twi'lek Ark is featured aboard the Eravana within the game's story mode. This version of the Ark more closely resembles the original Ark of the Covenant, displaying winged figures on top, differing from the Twi'lek figures seen in Liberty on Ryloth. In both games, destroying the Ark will reward the player with a minikit.