ARTIFACTS OR FICTION

The real life treasures that inspired some of Indiana Jones’ adventures.

I NAMED THE DOG INDIANA. And like my pup Indy, I have a lot of fond memories of Indiana Jones, professor of archaeology, expert of the occult, obtainer of rare antiquities, Nazi puncher.

Along with Harrison Ford’s iconic character’s of exploits cracking whips, globetrotting, wearing a fedora and leather jacket regardless of climate, and—I cannot emphasize this enough—punching Nazis, what made me a voracious fan of Indiana Jones is how the treasure hunter would pursue artifacts that belong in a museum (preferably a museum in the area whence the artifact originated).

Aaron Sagers

From a young age, I was inspired in no small part by Dr. Henry Jones Jr. to travel the world and learn about the potentially supernatural mysteries belonging to a rich tapestry of cultures. Before I possessed an actual passport, I would explore the far corners of the planet via National Geographic and the Mysteries of the Unknown Time-Life Books series, reading about Nazca Lines in Peru or the Turkdean barrow near Hazleton, UK.

What I love about Indiana Jones, as we approach Ford’s fifth and final film outing as the character in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, is how the franchise tapped into real-world archaeological discoveries and mysterious artifacts.

Here are a few aspects of Indy’s (the man, not my dog) pursuits of fortune and glory that are part fact and part fiction.

Adventuring Archaeologists

George Lucas’ creation is partially based on the sci-fi and adventure heroes from movie serials in the late 1930s/early 1940s, such as Buck Rogers and Zorro, but he is also indirectly modeled after famous early 20th century archaeologists and explorers. Roy Chapman Andrews of the American Museum of Natural History was a naturalist who struck a pose much like Indy, trekked across the Gobi Desert, and dug up fossilized dinosaur eggs. British Lt. Colonel Percy Fawcett claimed to have encountered strange animals, including a giant anaconda (it had to be snakes), before disappearing in 1925 while searching for the lost city of Z in Brazilian jungles. National Geographic’s first archaeological grantee, Hiram Bingham III, brought Machu Picchu, “The Lost City of the Incas,” to the attention of Western cultures. Sir Leonard Woolley excavated the Sumerian royal tombs in the city of Ur—which inspired Agatha Christie’s Murder in Mesopotamia

Chachapoyan Fertility Idol

The golden idol Indy pursues in the character’s unforgettable introduction in Raiders of the Lost Ark belonged to the Chachapoyan tribe, which did exist. These “Warriors of the Clouds” lived in dense Amazon forests of the Andes, in what is modern-day Peru, from the 9th century until they were wiped out by Incas in the 15th century. The Hovitos tribe manipulated by rival archaeologist Belloq are fictional and are not descendants of the Chachapoyans. The idol itself is directly inspired by a sculpture believed to be of the purifying and fertility Aztec goddess Tlazolteotl (on permanent display at the Dumbarton Oaks Museum in Washington DC).

Rather than gold, it’s carved from bluish-green stone with 19th century Mexican origins.

Ark Of The Covenant

First appearing in the Book of Exodus, the Ark’s assembly instructions— more detailed than most IKEA furniture—were dictated by God to Moses, and intended to hold the Ten Commandments tablets, manna, and the Rod of Aaron. Within the Bible, it was last seen by King Hezekiah of Judah around the 7th century BCE.

There are countless stories of the Ark being moved around and ending up in various locations such as Ethiopia, Rome, Ireland, and Tanis, Egypt, where Nazis were searching for it in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Whether or not it existed remains a debate, but it seems plausible. One historian, Tudor Parfitt, theorized the Lemba people of Zimbabwe obtained it and used it as a superweapon (which makes it all the more fun to think of this “Voice of God” melting Nazi faces—which is even better than punching them).

Sankara Stones

In Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, the Sankara Stones were given to the priest Sankara atop Mount Kalisa to battle evil. These resemble lingam stones, representations of the deity Shiva in the Hindu faith, and Mount Kailash is believed to be the abode of that god. Mola Ram’s Thuggee Cult might have truly existed; a criminal organization, from where we get the word “thug,” they may have also worshiped the goddess Kali, though postcolonial scholars question earlier historians.

The Holy Grail

The Grail in Last Crusade is the cup Jesus Christ used at the Last Supper and into which his blood spilled during the crucifixion. It first appeared in literature in the 12th century and came to be connected with Arthurian legends and the real-life and mysterious Knights Templar, who— like the fictional Brotherhood of the Cruciform Sword—served as protectors of the Grail. Likely falling under the category of pseudo-history, enough people have embarked on quests for the Grail to make its existence, like the Ark, seem plausible. A chapel in Chwarszczany, western Poland, with its potential hidden tunnels, is a strong contender for its resting place. Yes, face-punch worthy Nazis did have an interest in finding the Grail; specifically occultist Heinrich Himmler and medievalist Otto Rahn.

Crystal Skulls

Say what you will about Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull; the film’s MacGuffins are real, sort of. There are 13 said to exist around the world, including at the British Museum and Smithsonian Institution.

Believers say they originated with Mesoamerican civilizations tens of thousands of years ago; there are stories connecting them to the Aztecs, Atlantis, ancient aliens, and possessing healing properties. Science doesn’t back this up; the ones examined by electron microscope were crafted as recently as the mid-to-late 1800s, reports National Geographic

Dial Of Destiny

Though we have to wait and see the latest Indiana Jones installment to know what the titular Dial of Destiny is, it’s possibly inspired by the Antikythera mechanism, aka “The First Computer,” used by the ancient Greeks to calculate astronomical paths. Discovered in 1901 in a shipwreck after 2,000 years under the sea, the bronze gear of the mechanism looks like a “dial,” and it has figured into ancient alien theories. From the trailer, it seems the Nazis are interested in it. Perhaps it’s a way to harness the power of stars or reverse time to win World War II—and avoid well-deserved face punches.