A new, official “Indiana Jones” exhibition could be coming to your neighborhood. Here’s a teaser from the official web site:
Enter the world of Indiana Jones and experience the adventure of field archaeology at this unique new exhibition. Hidden clues, great archaeological mysteries, impressive ancient remains and real-world artefacts [sic] – you’ll love this interactive exhibition and its exclusive collection of Indiana Jones film props, models, costumes and more.
In short, you get to see authentic stuff from the Indy films and authentic stuff from the ancient past.
Indiana Jones is a bad archaeologist. He destroys ancient inscriptions and statuary, countless artifacts, fully-functioning ancient booby traps (!), burial sites, and even entire buildings in his quest for a single prize. He lights gasoline fires in sensitive archaeological contexts. He points functioning weapons at priceless discoveries. Bad, bad, bad.
For these reasons, every responsible modern archaeologist would tell you he/she does not want to be like Indiana Jones. (And yet on a deeper level every modern archaeologist wishes he/she was Indiana Jones. Don’t doubt that for a minute.)
The exhibit runs in the Toronto Montreal Science Centre through September before beginning its travel tour. The remaining schedule has not yet been announced. Here’s hoping the exhibition gets close enough to Tampa/Orlando to permit a visit for yours truly.
On the other hand, did Indiana Jones have positive impacts on the field?
From my research, Indiana Jones did have positive impacts on the field… what was left of it, anyway. Though his archaeological field kit consisting of a revolver and bullwhip failed to catch on, his wardrobe is reflected to this day among most leading archaeologists. The economic impact of his work is impressive, particularly in the entertainment industry.
Seriously, though, I believe archaeologists generally enjoy the attention the movie series has created, along with the corresponding increase in funding from interested parties. By today’s standards, Dr. Jones would be considered a Treasure Hunter, but then so would many archaeologists from his time and before. Excavation staff and volunteers have many inside jokes and references to the ‘Indy’ movies while working in the field. It’s probably fair to say that the movies have led larger numbers of people to participate in digs. Many excavations depend on volunteers who pay their own way for the experience. Is it fair to say that Indiana Jones makes modern staffing levels possible? I believe so.
Hello Luke. Just a note to say that the exhibition is runnig in Montreal, not Toronto, starting next week. For those of your readers up in the north
So it is. I had seen an article somewhere that mentioned Toronto. I didn’t confirm this on the official site. Thanks for the correction!
The Indiana Jones Exhibition will be presented in MONTREAL, not Toronto.
http://www.indianajonestheexhibition.com
Thanks for the correction. I have updated my site.