The beloved Indiana Jones franchise, while known for its exciting adventures, doesn’t always stick to the facts of real archaeology. The film series is celebrated for its thrilling escapades across distant locations, blending reality with fiction as it immerses audiences in ancient ruins and mysterious places.
Although the movies don’t exactly reflect the true nature of archaeological work, they embody a spirit of adventure and exploration that has captured the imagination of viewers for decades.
Dr. Henry Jones Jr., portrayed by Harrison Ford, may not be a precise representation of a professional archaeologist, but he certainly embodies the spirit of curiosity and discovery that real explorers possess.
The origins of Indiana Jones are not entirely clear-cut. There isn’t a real person directly behind the character, but there is a real-life professor whose achievements and adventures provided inspiration.
Unraveling this connection requires some investigation, but it becomes apparent that while Indiana Jones himself isn’t based on a specific historical figure, his character draws from genuine academic experiences and explorations.
Steven Spielberg and George Lucas Found Inspiration in a Charlton Heston Film Character
The story of Indiana Jones begins with Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, who looked to earlier action-adventure films for inspiration. One clear source was the 1954 film Secret of the Incas, which starred Charlton Heston as Harry Steele.
Steele is an American adventurer on a quest to find a lost Incan treasure hidden in the ruins of Machu Picchu. When comparing Steele to Indiana Jones, the similarities are striking. Both characters are daring adventurers with a passion for discovery, wearing similar iconic outfits such as fedora hats and leather jackets.
Deborah Nadoolman, who designed the costumes for Raiders of the Lost Ark, confirmed that Indiana Jones’ attire—including his fedora, satchel, leather jacket, and whip—was directly inspired by Heston’s character. Nadoolman also noted that many scenes in Raiders of the Lost Ark closely mirror those in Secret of the Incas.
Despite these similarities, there are noticeable differences between the characters and their wardrobes. Indiana Jones’ hat, for example, is smaller and has become a symbol of the character, especially popular for costumes.
While Secret of the Incas provided the most direct visual inspiration for Indiana Jones, earlier films like the 1943 movie China, starring Alan Ladd, also contributed to the classic explorer look. Despite the years between these films, they share design elements that have become iconic in the adventure genre.
Indiana Jones’ Inspiration Connects to a Real-Life Professor
Indiana Jones is influenced not only by past films but also by real-life stories. Both Secret of the Incas and Raiders of the Lost Ark feature similar story elements, including a bold archaeologist, a treacherous ally, and a rivalry with a fellow scholar.
They even share moments where the protagonist uses light to reveal clues in ancient maps. The link between Raiders of the Lost Ark and Secret of the Incas is clear, but what inspired the latter?
Entertainment Weekly’s investigation into Indiana Jones’ origins revealed that while Secret of the Incas was influential, it also connected to real historical figures. The screenwriter of Secret of the Incas, Sydney Boehm, was inspired by a conversation with Peruvian singer Yma Mac.
Boehm had previously pitched a film idea called Lost City of the Incas, which drew from a book released shortly before. The film’s main character shared similarities with Professor Hiram Bingham III, a prominent figure in archaeology and history.
Professor Hiram Bingham III Rediscovered Machu Picchu
Boehm’s idea evolved into Secret of the Incas, but the link to Professor Hiram Bingham III was already present. Bingham, a history professor at Yale, was fascinated by archaeology and conducted expeditions in South America.
Although he wasn’t formally trained in archaeology, Bingham’s efforts to find the last capitals of the Inca Empire were significant. His most notable achievement was the rediscovery of Machu Picchu, which he brought to global attention. Bingham’s work and his writings about these discoveries contributed to the creation of Indiana Jones.
Historian Christopher Heaney highlighted this connection, stating, “Indiana Jones is not Hiram Bingham, but Hiram Bingham was used to create this set of characters and situations in Secret of the Incas that then influenced the creation of Indiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Ark.”
While Indiana Jones isn’t a direct portrayal of Bingham, the adventurous spirit of the character reflects the excitement of real-life explorations. You can rent Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark on Prime Video in the U.S.
