Analysis Of Indiana Jones: Raiders Of The Lost Ark '

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Indiana Jones: America’s favorite Archaeologist When it comes to the study of Archaeology in the media no character comes to mind like the whip-cracking, macho vigilante we all know and love. Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark has inspired a whole generation of explorers, historians and archaeologists alike but how much of his adventurous tales can we take as realistic? While most archaeologists are not out fighting the Nazis and reclaiming treasures as mystical as the Ark of the Covenant, the film does demonstrate several key aspects of an archaeologist’s career and lifestyle. Relations with locals is a very important aspect to a successful excavation as they can provide a great deal of information on the site and surrounding areas. …show more content…

With the help of his Egyptian medallion, Jones is able to locate the true location of the ark. Conversely, Belloq has his team digging in the wrong spot due to his lack of information. All throughout the film Jones is keeping close track of his notes and making sure to document everything necessary for his excavation. True archaeologists must also pay close attention to recording the location, date, condition and details of all artifacts and sites. Another key method used by Jones was his use of a transit-level to survey the land and find the location of the Ark. Surveys are an important tool for archaeologists to keep records of terrain and locations of artifacts on a …show more content…

Although the scientific field is certainly amped up for audience entertainment you can still feel the excitement of a real-life archaeologist as Indiana uncovers one of the greatest artifacts ever to be found. The true nature of Archaeology is the anticipation of uncovering what has been lost to time, to better understand how the world used to be. The Indiana Jones films are in no way a look into the life of an average Archaeologist today, but they can provide a glimpse as to why the study is important. Perhaps Jones’ greatest achievement has been introducing the field of preserving history to fans worldwide, young and old

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