Unearthed Grave Site Found Beneath Indiana Jones Movie Set Location
In the thrilling world of the "Indiana Jones" franchise, one of the most iconic settings is the Temple of the Chachapoyan Warriors, deep within the Peruvian jungle. But did you know that in reality, a similar setting can be found in the ancient city of Petra, Jordan?
The movie "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," released in 1989, showcased the famous ancient city's elaborate rose-red sandstone facade known as Al-Khazneh. This site, dating back to the 1st century AD, is a real historical treasury building carved into the rock, associated with the Nabataean civilization. The filmmakers cleverly chose Al-Khazneh to represent the fictional temple that holds the Holy Grail in the movie, utilising its dramatic and iconic architectural presence[1][2].
Petra itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was an important trading hub in antiquity. The use of Al-Khazneh in the film brought global attention to Jordan's archaeological heritage and helped popularise Petra as a major tourist attraction worldwide[1].
However, contrary to the movie's plot, the goal of Indiana Jones in the temple was not to retrieve the Holy Grail, but a golden idol. Interestingly, the golden idol in the movie was not an ancient artifact, but a cheap, repurposed souvenir[3].
Indiana Jones, the movie's protagonist, encountered several death trap surprises in the temple, one of which was a giant rolling boulder. This death-defying chase scene is one of the most memorable moments in the "Indiana Jones" series.
In a strange twist of fate, in 2024, a secret tomb was discovered beneath Jordan's Al-Khaznah, sounding strikingly similar to a setting from an "Indiana Jones" movie[4]. The tomb, yet to be fully explored, holds the promise of more exciting discoveries that may inspire future adventures, both on screen and in real life.
References: [1] "Al-Khazneh, Petra, Jordan." Encyclopædia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/place/Al-Khazneh [2] "Petra." UNESCO World Heritage Centre, https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/24 [3] "The Truth About the Indiana Jones' Golden Idol." History.com, https://www.history.com/news/indiana-jones-golden-idol-truth [4] "Jordan's Al-Khazneh tomb reveals ancient secrets." BBC News, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-52846545
Movies-and-tv like "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" often incorporate real-world historical sites into their settings to add an element of entertainment and authenticity. For instance, the famous ancient city of Petra, Jordan's Al-Khazneh, was used as the backdrop for the fictional Temple of the Holy Grail in the film.
