Indiana Jones: Myth, Reality And 21st Century Archaeology

Our inaugural episode examines the enduring popularity of the Indiana Jones films and their impact in elevating archaeology’s image over 30 years. While the films exemplify tongue and cheek genre, many fans are convinced that the adventures are grounded in reality. Was Indiana Jones a real person? Was he a composite of several famous archaeologists? A central theme in the films is the quest for material clues that legitimize the Bible, historic accounts of classic western civilization (Greece, Persia, and Rome), and the epigraphy of the prehispanic New World. Can we prove the existence of the Patriarchs? Noah’s ark? What about the search for Atlantis? Is there an archaeological basis for the Battle of Armageddon? More generally, can archaeology confirm or refute ancient texts and the mystique surrounding oral accounts? We explore these questions and more with special guest Dr. Eric Cline, Associate Professor of Classics, Anthropology, and History at George Washington University.