Directed by Steven Spielberg, from a story by George Lucas, Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) was inspired by the serials of the 1930's and 1940's… and made Archaeology seem cool and adventurous to a younger audience. The WWII era story concerns Indiana Jones, charged with finding the fabled Ark of the Covenant in Egypt before Adolf Hitler can get hold of it. Hitler believes that the Biblical artifact will make his Nazi army invincible. Historical accuracy is set aside for spectacle and entertainment. Great attention to detail was given in the scenes depicting the golden Ark of the Covenant with it's Mercy Seat of Winged Cherubim. Harrison Ford is excellent as Indiana Jones. Karen Allen is beautiful as Marian Ravenwood. The supporting cast is good as well, including John Rhys-Davies and Denholm Elliot.
Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
: Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Ark of the Covenant: Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Ark of the Covenant Amulet: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Harrison Ford and Karen Allen: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Karen Allen: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Karen Allen: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Nazi: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Karen Allen: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Map Room Staff of Ra: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Ark of the Covenant: Raiders of the Lost Ark
: Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Ark of the Covenant: Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Ark of the Covenant: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Harrison Ford and Karen Allen: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Karen Allen: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
: Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Ark of the Covenant: Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Ark of the Covenant: Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Ark of the Covenant: Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Ark of the Covenant: Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Ark of the Covenant: Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Ark of the Covenant Angel of Death: Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Ark of the Covenant: Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Ark of the Covenant: Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Ark of the Covenant: Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Ark of the Covenant Angel of Death: Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Ark of the Covenant crate: Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Ark of the Covenant warehouse: Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Ark of the Covenant: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
In 2001, divers equipped with metal detectors scanned the dark depths of Germany's Lake Chiemsee in search of treasure. A glimmer in the muck led them to a 23-pound golden cauldron, decorated with relief figures of Celtic gods and warriors. At first, the discovery was hailed as one of the great archaeological finds of the last century, with the supposition that they had discovered a rare 2,000 year-old artifact worth upwards of a billion dollars. The truth, however, revealed through scientific tests, was disappointing… for it was undeniably evident that the Chiemsee Cauldron is a product of 20th Century craftsmanship (and worth $100,000 based on it's weight in gold). The quest for answers began. Produced in 2013 for the Smithsonian Channel, Nazi Temple of Doom takes a 45-minute look at the mystery. Some clandestine documents of Heinrich Himmler, discovered in an attic, reveal some intriguing background on the cauldron's creation. An inventory of Wewelsburg Castle, Himmler's SS "Temple of Doom" fortress, indicated that the cauldron had been made in Munich by Nazi jeweler Otto Gahr around 1929. It is likely that Gahr made the cauldron to present as a lavish contribution to the Nazis in an effort to gain favor in the regime. This makes sense, as Gahr was also the designer of the silver stylized "Death's Head" rings so coveted by the SS. Not an outright forgery, the cauldron was made as a tribute to the ancient past. Himmler was obsessed with the occult and sought ways to associate Aryan/Germanic people with glorified ancient roots. At Wewelsburg, even the floor plan offered reference to ancient legends, with a round 12-columned room set up as a Nazi version of King Arthur's Round Table. Himmler conceived Wewelsburg as his Camelot, and many rituals took place, some more secret than others… including pagan weddings, solstice celebrations and non-christian baptisms. The castle was filled with fine art, relics and antiquities. One particular relic that Himmler sought in vain, the most prized of all, was the Holy Grail. Himmler went so far as to commission Indiana Jones style adventurer Otto Rahn to seek the Grail, but he failed in his quest. It is possible that the Chiemsee Cauldron was intended as a consolation, a substitute for the Holy Grail, and was prominently used in the many ceremonies performed in the castle. In 1945, when the war's end was imminent, Himmler gave the order to destroy Wewelsburg rather than let the Allies have access to it's secrets. In the chaos, the golden cauldron was smuggled out by the Nazis, and thrown in the water to hide it from their enemies. It rested on the bottom of the lake, beyond human reach, for 56 years. Today, it is still out of reach, locked away in a vault with no access. Wonderful commentary is provided by experts throughout this short documentary, including Axel Effner, Andrew Gough, Kai Schmidt, Max Heiden, Dr. Peter Northover, Peter Longerich, Chris Going, Kirsten John-Stucke and Adrian Weale.
