Indiana Jones: ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ Historical Fact-Check (Photos)
As we all know, Harrison Ford isn’t confined to outer space for wild adventures–he’s gotten in some situations right here on Earth that make Jabba the Hut look tame. The first Indiana Jones film, “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” came out 35 years ago today. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the movie won four Oscars and stole the hearts of anyone who had a hard time falling in love with a man living in a galaxy far, far, away. On its anniversary, TheWrap is examining the movie to see what–if anything–from the film is factually based.
Are the Hovito people real?
At the beginning of the movie, Indiana Jones is seeking a fertility idol in the Peruvian jungle.When he gets out of the booby-trapped temple with the infamous boulder, he’s persued by the Hovitos, descendants of the Chachapoyans.
While the Hovitos and their language are fictional, the Chachapoyans are real. They are known as the “Warriors of the Clouds,” and lived high in the Andes Mountains.
Do they speak Spanish in Peru?
While in the temple on the hunt for the idol, Indy’s guide tricks him, thinking he’s leaving Indy behind. He leaves with an “Adios, amigo.”
Yes, they do speak Spanish in Peru, along with Aymara and Quechua.
Is Tanis a real place?
Indy ends up in Tanis, where the Nazis are searching for the Ark of the Covenant. It’s in Tanis that the professor eventually finds the Ark.
Yes, Tanis is a real place. The ancient Egyptian city was located in Northeastern Egypt on the delta of the Nile River, and eventually became the capital. In 1939, royal tombs were discovered by Pierre Montet. Jewelry, precious stones, gold and pharaoh masks were all found–but no Ark.
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