Ark of the Covenant
The golden chest whose spirits kill the Nazis who open it in Raiders of the Lost Ark.
More than a religious artifact, the Ark of the Covenant serves as the ultimate MacGuffin and peril of the Indiana Jones saga. This gold-plated chest, said to contain the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, releases spirits, flames and bolts of energy when it is opened. It anchors the conflict of Raiders of the Lost Ark, pitting American archaeologists against Nazi forces convinced that this ancient power can render their military invincible.
Quick Facts
- Current status
- Stored in a government warehouse since 1936
Lore & Background
In the climactic sequence, the spirits within the Ark manifest as terrifying entities and bolts of energy, instantly incinerating those who gaze upon them while sparing those who keep their eyes averted.
Reader's Guide
At Jones's instruction, he and Marion close their eyes to avoid looking at the opened Ark.
Did You Know?
- For the climax, special effects artist Steve Gawley created the Ark's spirits by suspending small robed puppets in a clouded water tank in front of a blue screen.
- In the film, Adolf Hitler believes that the Ark will render the Nazi army invincible.
- At the end of the movie, the Ark is stored in a massive government warehouse filled with countless other crates immediately following the 1936 events, implying it remains lost to history and humanity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ark of the Covenant?
It is an ancient golden chest that houses the stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments. This biblical relic serves as the primary MacGuffin driving the conflict in the first Indiana Jones movie.
Where was the Ark found in Raiders of the Lost Ark?
The artifact was concealed deep within the Well of Souls beneath the ruins of Tanis, Egypt. Jones and Sallah locate the Well of Souls with the medallion and a correctly sized staff of Ra and recover the Ark, but Belloq and the Nazis seize it.
What happens when the Ark of the Covenant is opened?
Opening the chest releases spirits, flames and bolts of energy that kill Belloq, Toht and the assembled Nazis, while Jones and Marion survive by closing their eyes.
Why did the Nazis want to find the Ark?
Adolf Hitler believes the Ark will render the Nazi army invincible; the film is set in 1936, before the Second World War.
What happened to the Ark at the end of the film?
After the opening of the Ark on an island in the Aegean Sea, Jones and Marion turn it over to the US government, which stores it in a vast warehouse. It remains locked away in this facility as of the film's final scene, where it is left undisturbed.
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