(Courtesy National Geographic Museum) The National Geographic Museum is opening a new exhibit called “Indiana Jones and the Adventure of Archaeology” from May 14, 2015 – Jan. 3, 2016. The exhibit showcases real-life artifacts, as well as props from the Indiana Jones movies, directed by Steven Spielberg and co-created by George Lucas, who preserves the memorabilia in San Francisco. Listen below for comments from the experts, and click through the gallery for photos. ((Courtesy National Geographic Museum))
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The exhibit welcomes guests with a silhouette of Indiana Jones from “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
(WTOP/Jason Fraley) The first glass case contains the costume of Indiana Jones, from his famous fedora to his legendary whip. ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
(WTOP/Jason Fraley) This Chachapoyan Idol was retrieved at the opening of “Raiders,” triggering the famous boulder. ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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Indy retrieves this Staff of Ra medallion from Marion in order to reveal the Ark’s location in “Raiders.” ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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You’ll remember this giant mummy case from the Well of Souls snake pit scene in “Raiders.” ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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A true highlight of the exhibit is the Ark of the Covenant from “Raiders.” The prop has never been opened, but it’s rumored to contain a priceless piece of movie memorabilia, perhaps the original “Star Wars” script or the original Yoda puppet, according to Lucas archivist Leila French . (listen below)
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Each piece of the exhibit is aided by a handheld device that visitors carry from item to item.
Here, the device discusses the Biblical legend that the Ten Commandments reside inside the Ark. ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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This costume was worn by the villain Belloq as he opened the Ark in the supernatural finale of “Raiders.” ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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This costume was worn by Harrison Ford during his teaching segments as Dr. Jones. ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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These costumes were worn by Short Round (Jonathan Ke Quan), Willie (Kate Capshaw) and Indiana Jones at the beginning of “The Temple of Doom.” (Harrison Ford)
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The movie props are paired with monitors showing the relevant movie clips. ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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This sketch shows the “Anything Goes” number at the start of “Temple of Doom.” Kate Capshaw wound up marrying director Steven Spielberg after the movie. ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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This urn contained the Ashes of Nurhaci, which Indy traded to Lao Che in “Temple of Doom.” ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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This Indian cloth drawing leads Indy to Bangkok Palace in “Temple of Doom.” ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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The magical Sankara Stones are the subject of Indy’s quest in “Temple of Doom.” ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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This segment of the exhibit is dedicated to villain Mola Ram, who chillingly rips the hearts from his victims in a sacrificial ritual in “Temple of Doom.” ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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This skull hat was worn by villain Mola Ram in “Temple of Doom.” ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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This bridal gown was worn by Kate Capshaw during her sacrifice to Mola Ram in “Temple of Doom.” ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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This miniature was used for the mine-cart climax in “Temple of Doom.” ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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This segment of the exhibit is dedicated to the River Phoenix flashback opening of “The Last Crusade” and includes the origins of several key items, including the whip and the hat. ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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The Cross of Coronado was the subject of Young Indy’s quest in the flashback opening of “Last Crusade.” ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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Toward the start of “Last Crusade,” Indy surveys his father’s wall decorations, including this portrait of the crucifixion, as seen in the movie clip (top left) and the movie prop . (bottom right)
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Indy also gazes at this drawing of the “Leap of Faith,” as seen in the movie clip (top left) and movie prop in “Last Crusade.” (bottom right)
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The “Leap of Faith” drawing foreshadows Indy’s own leap onto an invisible bridge at the end of “Last Crusade.” ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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These props portray the Knight’s shield, shield rubbing and book instructions from “Last Crusade.” ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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These props show the Knight’s shield and corpse in a rat-infested scene from “Last Crusade.” ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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This grey suit was worn by Nazi femme fatale Elsa Schneider in “Last Crusade.” ((WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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This prop shows the Brotherhood of the Cruciform Sword design, worn by those sworn to protect the Holy Grail in “Last Crusade.” ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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This grail diary was compiled by Sean Connery’s father figure in “Last Crusade” and used by Harrison Ford to find the Holy Grail. ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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This segment of the exhibit shows a clip from “Last Crusade” where Indy must search through an array of cups to find the true Holy Grail, heeding the Knight’s warning: “Choose wisely.” ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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The real and false grails from “Last Crusade” are displayed side-by-side. Remember: the cup of a carpenter shall not be made of gold. ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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This motorcycle comes from the fourth installment, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.” ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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These outfits were worn by Cate Blanchett in “Crystal Skull.” ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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This prop shows the titular crystal skull from “Crystal Skull.” ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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The crystal skull belongs to an extra-terrestrial skeleton on this throne from “Crystal Skull.” ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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In addition to movie memorabilia, the exhibit features real-life artifacts of archaeology, like this awe-inspiring item. Behold: one of the oldest known maps in the world, found near the Mesopotamian city of Nippur. It dates to 1500-1155 BC.
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This bowl hails from Peru between AD 1-700. ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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This funerary stela comes from Egypt circa 1938-1759 BC. ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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This gold leaf wreath hails from Iraq circa 2500 BC. ( (WTOP/Jason Fraley))
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This papyrus fragment hails from Egypt circa 1279-1213 BC.
(WTOP/Jason Fraley) The National Geographic Museum is located at 1145 17th St NW. Click here for ticket information on the Indiana Jones exhibit. ((WTOP/Jason Fraley))
