Headpiece of the Staff of Ra

A golden medallion headpiece that caps the Staff of Ra. The artifact is typically described as a welded headpiece which Indy removes from his robes and fits onto the top of the Staff; it aligns with mosaic receptacles and seasonal symbols. When properly seated it channels a time-sensitive shaft of sunlight (via the map room's crystal) to illuminate the miniature Tanis model and reveal the Well of the Souls. Narrative provenance notes one half of the medallion is in China while the other was held by Abner Ravenwood; the object is the focus of Nazi intelligence and is immediately recognized as significant by Marcus Brody.

3 appearances

Purpose

Channels sunlight atop the Staff of Ra to reveal the Well of the Souls location in Tanis map room

Significance

Unlocks the Ark of the Covenant's hiding place; ties Indy personally to Ravenwood; drives Nazi pursuit and Allied intervention

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

3 moments

S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Lecture Hall Briefing — The Staff of Ra and the Ark

The headpiece is verbally identified as the actionable component the Nazis seek; its mention personalizes the threat (half in China, half with Ravenwood) and gives specificity to the intercepted orders.

Before: Referenced as fragmented—one half in China, one held by Ravenwood—abstract and not present.

After: Status unchanged physically in scene but now flagged as a high-priority intelligence target.

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S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Sallah Fits the Headpiece — Belloq's Betrayal and the Ark's Ominous Warning

The medallion half of the headpiece is explicitly present and discussed; it is one component in Sallah's fitting and the referent when Indy asks if the markings are recognizable. It functions narratively as the necessary key to focus light in the map room and thus a literal instrument of discovery.

Before: Separated from its base; in Sallah's hands awaiting assembly.

After: Affixed to its base as part of the completed headpiece; prepared to be shown to a specialist the next day.

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S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Sunlight Reveals the Map — Staff Alignment

The welded headpiece is produced by Indy from his robes at the moment the sunlight begins to trace the miniature; it functions as the missing medallion that fits into the staff base and completes the alignment mechanism—the literal key to channeling the shaft of light.

Before: Concealed in Indy's robes, welded together and intact.

After: In Indy's hand and ready to be seated onto the staff base for alignment.

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