- "Archaeology is the search for fact ... not truth. If it's truth you're interested in, Dr. Tyree's philosophy class is right down the hall. So forget any ideas you've got about lost cities, exotic travel, and digging up the world. We do not follow maps to buried treasure, and "X" never, ever, marks the spot. Seventy percent of all archaeology is done in the library."
- ―Indiana Jones[src]
Archaeologists at work in Egypt.
An archaeologist is a scientist who studies the past human cultures through the examination of remains, artifacts and environmental data. It has connections to the fields of history and anthropology.
In the early 20th century, archaeologists often had to compete for the discovery and reclamation of artifacts with treasure hunters, who also sought ancient relics, not for their scientific or historical merits, but for their monetary value.
History[]
- "Archaeologists don't steal from the past; they open it up for everyone."
- ―T.E. Lawrence[src]
Indiana Jones's interest and expertise in the field was first piqued by his meeting with archaeologist T.E. Lawrence in Egypt, 1908 during his father's two-year world lecture tour. While Jones taught that most archaeology was done in the library, he did encourage his students to go into the field to become a good archaeologist.[1]
Dr. Jones' numerous expeditions often lead to him crossing paths with rival archaeologists and treasure hunters who also sought the artifacts he was pursuing. Some of his competitors were unscrupulous in their activities, often seeking financial gain in contrast to Jones' belief that archaeology should be shared with the world.
Archaeologists such as René Emile Belloq were private contractors or agents working on the behalf of Hitler who desired pieces that would ensure Nazi superiority. These scholars, in service of the Reich, chased goals and followed orders that actively opposed Indy's search for artifacts during the '30s.
Harold Oxley, an archeologist who had studied alongside Indiana Jones under Abner Ravenwood, found the Crystal Skull of Akator in 1957.[2]
Appearances[]
- The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles – "Young Indiana Jones and the Curse of the Jackal" → My First Adventure
- The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles – "Young Indiana Jones and the Treasure of the Peacock's Eye" → Treasure of the Peacock's Eye (Mentioned only)
- Young Indiana Jones and the Tomb of Terror
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
- Raiders of the Lost Ark
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
- Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
- Indiana Jones: Traps and Snares
- Indiana Jones: The Search For Buried Treasure
Sources[]
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom: The Illustrated Screenplay
- The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles McDonald's commercial
Defining Moments: The Temple Escape on Lucasfilm.com (backup link on Archive.org)- Defining Moments: “Time Stands Still” on Lucasfilm.com (backup link on Archive.org)
Star Wars: Best of 2023 on StarWars.com (backup link on Archive.org)- 40 Great Indiana Jones Quotes on Lucasfilm.com (backup link on Archive.org)
- History in Objects: Indy’s Leather Jacket on Lucasfilm.com (backup link on Archive.org)
- 8 New Discoveries in the Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Trailer on Lucasfilm.com (backup link on Archive.org)
- Defining Moments: Short Round’s Choice on Lucasfilm.com (backup link on Archive.org)
