In 1981 Raiders of the Lost Ark set the tone for virtually every action blockbuster that has been produced since, and it is easily the most well-known fictional film with archaeological content. Its sequels Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) were also very popular and commercially successful. These films were so well-received that an untitled Indiana Jones 4 is supposedly in the works – presumably with Harrison Ford starring as a much older and wiser Indiana Jones. Despite the differences I’ve outlined (and there are many more), a large segment of the general public associates archaeology with the now legendary character of Indiana Jones. When people find out you’re an archaeologist, their first question is often “Is it really like Indiana Jones?” As a result, Indy gets a lot of criticism from professional archaeologists who may get tired of explaining that archaeology is rewarding, is often full of adventure and excitement, but it’s not very much like Indiana Jones. On the other hand, archaeologists and educators can use the popularity of the Indiana Jones trilogy to their advantage. These films, by depicting what archaeology isn’t, provide an entertaining opportunity for teachers and students to make comparisons and discuss what archaeology is.
Many of us, especially children and adolescents, are first exposed to the field of archaeology by viewing fictional archaeologists like Indiana Jones or, more recently, Lara Croft. Personally, I first heard the word “archaeology” when I saw Raiders of the Lost Ark as a kid. While sitting in that darkened theater, I was so impressed by Indy’s intelligence and determination that I resolved to go to the school library and read more about this mysterious thing called archaeology. Despite my initial disappointment that archaeologists didn’t carry bullwhips, I quickly became fascinated with real archaeology. That was 23 years ago and I’m still fascinated. The Indy movies don’t accurately reflect real archaeology, but their popularity has the potential to spark public interest in finding out more about archaeology – the facts behind the fiction. The archaeologists of tomorrow might very well be sitting at home or in class watching Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, or Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade on DVD today. In that sense, Indiana Jones is a hero to movie-goers, educators, and archaeologists alike.
