Object

Torch-and-Oil Landing Strip (Well of Souls)

A makeshift flaming landing strip created by Indy, Sallah, and their crew in the Well of Souls: torches lowered and lines of oil spread and ignited to burn a path across the snake‑choked pit, driving back thousands of Egyptian asps and allowing access to the altar. The fires later gutter and die when Nazis seal the chamber, restoring darkness and serpents.

2 appearances

Purpose

Combines with torches to repel asps and form a fire-cleared landing strip into the snake-filled chamber

Significance

Transforms Indy's paralyzing fear of snakes into actionable strategy, enabling access to the Ark on the protected altar and marking the quest's pivot from excavation to direct confrontation

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments

S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Revealing the Well of Souls

Oil is invoked by Indy as the necessary complementary material to torches to create a continuous flaming landing strip across the snake‑carpeted floor — not yet applied but central to the immediate tactical plan and logistics.

Before: Stored among the crew's supplies at the dig site (not yet in use).

After: Ordered into use — to be fetched and deployed to lay a burning path across the Well floor toward the altar.

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S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Torchlit Landing Strip — Confronting the Well of Souls

Oil is identified and commanded into use by Indy to be spread across the Well floor; when lit in conjunction with torches it will create a continuous, burning path—a practical but risky means to traverse the snake carpet.

Before: Stored with the crew at the dig site, not yet applied.

After: Ordered to be fetched; prepared for distribution as fuel to establish a flaming landing strip (application implied in the next beats).

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