Object

Map Room Staff Base

Indy seats the Staff of Ra into this base, a precise structure with aligned depressions that hold the staff upright. He turns the headpiece atop the staff until a narrow sunbeam sweeps the miniature city model below, passing Belloq's mark and striking a small building one-and-a-half feet farther, which glows in confirmation. Belloq watches intently as the beam reveals the secret.

1 appearances

Purpose

Mounts the Staff of Ra vertically to channel and direct a focused sunbeam onto the map room's miniature city model.

Significance

Pins the Ark's exact location on the model, proving Indy's calculations correct over Belloq's and escalating their rivalry toward the Well of the Souls.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

1 moments

S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Sunbeam Confirms the Ark's True Location

The map-room staff base provides the physical mount and depressions that ensure the Staff of Ra stands perfectly vertical. It constrains the instrument's position so minor rotations of the headpiece translate into measurable shifts across the miniature city floor.

Before: Empty depression awaiting the Staff of Ra; integrated into the map-room centerpiece.

After: Holding the Staff of Ra securely, facilitating the final alignment that produces the beam.

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