The Indiana Jones series is one of the most popular and iconic film franchises in the history of Hollywood. But just how accurate is it? Justin M. Jacobs, associate professor of history at American University, explores the history behind the cinematic legend, drawing on events from Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt in 1798 to the controversy over in the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1923. He also examines the antiquities trade in China. By the end of the saga, understand not only how major museums acquired their collections, but where and when the film franchise diverges or converges with historical realities.
Jacobs is the author of several books, including Indiana Jones in History and The Compensations of Plunder: How China Lost Its Treasures. He is also the instructor for “World Heritage Sites: Exploring the World’s Greatest Places,” a 24-episode series for The Great Courses.
Please Note: Individual sessions are available for individual purchase.
May 9 Who Was Indiana Jones?
On the silver screen, Indiana Jones shoots, punches, and whips his way through the archaeological hot spots of the world to acquire priceless treasures for Western museums. But his real-life archaeological counterparts depended much more on the voluntary support of native elites and laborers to help them get what they wanted. Jacobs analyzes the dynamics of excavations and expeditions in the field, the role of museums in legitimizing the activities of archaeologists, the imperialist ideologies that animated the international antiquities trade, and the end of the archaeological free-for-all in the decades after World War I.
May 16 How Did China Lose its Treasures?
In stark contrast to the rest of the world, in China Indiana Jones came face to face with a domestic educated elite that had been preserving, studying, and cherishing its own antiquities for thousands of years. And yet the result was much the same as elsewhere: By the middle of the 20th century, tens of thousands of priceless works of art and antiquities had been taken out of the country and placed into foreign museums around the world. Jacobs unravels the unique dynamic of the antiquities trade in China, from the sale of oracle bones to desert expeditions along the Silk Road.
May 23 Indiana Jones: Hollywood vs. History
The Indiana Jones films are great fun, but are they good history? Jacobs applies a rigorous historical analysis to all four films, carefully noting where they diverge or converge with the popular Hollywood icon. With the aid of a leaked brainstorming transcript for the first film he explores the hidden inspiration for the main characters, plot lines, and geographic backdrops—and determines whether they bear any resemblance to the actual careers of real-life archaeologists in history. He concludes with an attempt to devise a more historically accurate and politically sensitive plot line for future films in the franchise.
3 sessions
Photo caption (upper right): Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular show at Disney's Hollywood Studios (Photo: Josh Hallett)
Patron Information
- If you register multiple individuals, you will be asked to supply individual names and email addresses so they can receive a Zoom link email. Please note that if there is a change in program schedule or a cancellation, we will notify you via email, and it will be your responsibility to notify other registrants in your group.
- Once registered, patrons should receive an automatic email confirmation from CustomerService@SmithsonianAssociates.org.
- Separate Zoom link information will be emailed closer to the date of each session. If you do not receive your Zoom link information 24 hours prior to the start of each session, please email Customer Service for assistance.
- View Common FAQs about our Streaming Programs on Zoom.
