Oil Canisters (Well of Souls)

Several metal oil canisters are lowered into the Well of the Souls. Indy grabs one, splashes its contents in two parallel lines across the six-inch-deep sea of writhing serpents, then ignites the oil with a torch; the flames carve a narrow, six-foot-wide path through eggs, hatchlings, and cannibalizing adults, allowing Sallah to follow to the altar. These canisters serve as the fuel source used to create a protective, torch-lit island of safety.

4 appearances

Purpose

Fuel source to burn safe passage through snake-infested floor

Significance

Transforms deadly obstacle into precarious lifeline, forcing Indy to confront his snake phobia while buying vital time to reach the Ark amid escalating infestation

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

4 moments

S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Torchlit Crossing of the Serpent Sea

Several oil canisters had been lowered into the Well; Indy seizes one and uses it as an improvised fuel source, splashing two parallel lines across the floor to be ignited, turning the oil into a deliberate, mobile barrier and corridor.

Before: Lowered into the Well on ropes, unopened and ready as fuel reserves.

After: One canister has been employed and partially emptied; canisters remain on site but some fuel has been consumed to create the flame path.

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S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Sea of Serpents

Several metal oil canisters are lowered into the Well; Indy grabs one and splashes its contents into two parallel lines across the serpent sea, using the oil as fuel to produce a continuous burning path when ignited.

Before: Lowered into the chamber on ropes, unopened and full of oil.

After: At least one canister has been used — partially or largely emptied — its contents now burning as the path across the snakes.

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S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Sealed Fate: Belloq's Farewell in the Well

Oil canisters are grabbed by Indy and splashed across the floor to lay out a flammable corridor and then poured in a circle around Marion to create a temporary protective ring; they function as accelerant and a tactical tool to shape movement within the pit.

Before: Lowered into the Well on ropes for use by the diggers; full and available near the center of the chamber.

After: Partially emptied and burning; oil trails ignited to create a path and a protective circle that slowly burns down as air thins.

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S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

The Pillar Break — Indy's Snake-Chamber Escape

Metal oil canisters are grabbed and poured by Indy to form two parallel lines and a final ring. The oil becomes the fuel for a path and protective circle, allowing Marion a temporary refuge and permitting Indy to create a route through the snakes to the pillar.

Before: Lowered into the Well of the Souls on ropes, full of oil and available to Indy and Sallah earlier in the dig.

After: Emptied or largely drained after Indy pours most of the contents to create the path and ring.

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