Wooden Crate (Well of the Souls) / Ark Transport Crate

Large, sturdy wooden crate lowered by rope into the torchlit Well of the Souls. It serves first as a stable platform for Indiana Jones and Sallah—anchoring their improvised crossing, allowing Indy to swing down, pour parallel oil lines, and ignite a pathway across the serpent-filled floor—and then as the container used to secure and transport the Ark of the Covenant after they pry it free from the stone chest. Fitted with poles and ropes for hauling, the lid is fastened before the crate is pulled upward; later the Nazis seize the sealed crate at the dig site and guard it beside the command tent during nearby explosions.

6 appearances

Purpose

Stable platform and supply base for rigging oil-and-torch fire barriers to cross snake-infested floor

Significance

Enables desperate advance to Ark's altar despite Indy's snake phobia; fragile flames heighten stakes amid multiplying infestation of eggs, hatchlings, and feeding adults

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

6 moments

S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Torchlit Crossing of the Serpent Sea

A large wooden crate is lowered into the chamber on ropes and serves as a staging/anchor point from which Indy swings down and operates; it functions as part of the improvised crossing infrastructure.

Before: Lowered slowly into the Well by rope, positioned near the entry, with rope handles attached.

After: Remains on the Well floor, acting as a physical support in the crossing operation and potential container for later extraction tasks.

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S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Sea of Serpents

A large wooden crate is lowered slowly by rope into the Well and functions as a staging element in the chamber; its presence establishes scale and provides a physical reference for rigging and descent.

Before: Suspended and being lowered into the chamber, secured by rope handles.

After: Resting on the chamber floor (or secured there), present but not yet opened or moved during this immediate action.

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S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Ark Revealed — Awe, Fear, and the Rim's Mockery

The wooden shipping crate stands open beside the stone chest and receives the Ark after Indy and Sallah rig poles through its rings; it becomes the Ark's temporary transport enclosure and the focal point for the hauling operation.

Before: Open and empty beside the stone chest, prepared for receiving the Ark.

After: Contains the Ark with poles threaded and the top fastened, ropes attached for hoisting upward.

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S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Stranded in the Serpent Pit

The wooden crate functions as the transport container: kept open beside the chest, it receives the Ark after poles are threaded through the rings; its top is then fastened and its rings used to attach hauling ropes so the artifact can be pulled up through the Well opening.

Before: Open and staged next to the stone chest, ready for packing.

After: Contains the Ark, top fastened, with ropes attached and being hoisted upward.

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S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Belloq's Dawn Taunt — Marion Ungagged

The large wooden crate—containing the Ark—is positioned nearby and exposed, serving as the visual prize around which the confrontation is staged. Its presence makes the stakes tangible and signals that control of the artifact has shifted to the occupying force.

Before: Sitting safely nearby at the dig site, exposed but not yet loaded for transport; under watch by both sides.

After: Remains exposed and effectively under Nazi control/guarded; its custody is public and imminent transport is implied.

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S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Ark Guarded as Camp Explodes

The lowered large wooden crate serves as the Ark's container and immediate physical anchor in the scene; guards stand around it and it becomes the visual cue for what the officers prioritize securing as the explosion distracts everyone else.

Before: Lowered and positioned near the flopped-open entrance to the command tent, ringed by armed guards.

After: Remains at the tent entrance but exposed as people run to the fireball; Shliemann commands that it be held in place by remaining guards.

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