From the Ark of the Covenant to the Holy Grail, Indiana Jones has discovered some truly awe-inspiring treasures. While not nearly as historically or culturally significant, another rare artifact slipped through Indy's hands during Raiders of the Lost Ark. After navigating the Peruvian jungle and working with a pair of thieves responsible for the last explorer's demise, Indy finally laid his eyes on the Chachapoyan golden fertility idol of Pachamama. Indy's possession of the idol would prove to be short-lived, however. After escaping the infamous giant boulder, Jones was greeted outside by his rival Belloq, accompanied by the Hovitos tribe who descended from the ancient Chachapoyan tribe. Although Indy's priority was escaping the Peruvian jungle, he did not stop chasing after the idol according to a classic Marvel comic.
After leaving the jungles of Peru, Belloq would sell the idol to an antiquities dealer in Marrakesh. After Belloq met his end opening the Ark of the Covenant, Indy felt that the opportunity to reclaim the stolen fertility idol had come. The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones #9 by Archie Goodwin, David Michelinie, Dan Reed, Danny Bulandi, Bob Sharen, and Joe Rosen picked up the story with Indy and Sallah attempting to reclaim the idol while in Marrakesh.
Unfortunately for Jones, he was not the only one in pursuit of the idol. Two other cloaked figures were already in the process of stealing the artifact when Indy burst through the ceiling. He dispatched the villains with his whip and escaped with Sallah atop the Marrakesh rooftops. Indy then delivered the idol to Marcus Brody at the Connecticut National Museum. One of the cloaked figures followed Indy to the fundraiser and attacked Brody when he first took possession of the idol.
The figure was revealed to be Xomec, a member of the Hovitos tribe who claimed to be a direct descendant of the Chachapoyan. Xomec did not come alone as he also brought a few of his other tribesmen who continually shot blowguns at Jones similar to the events at the beginning of Raiders. Xomec was able to reclaim the idol and escape to Brazil where the brain behind his operation was finally revealed.
The Hovitos had teamed up with the Nazis and were led by Raiders' villain Ernst Toht's sister Ilsa. Ilsa was out for revenge on Indy as she blamed the archaeologist for her brother's death. Indy followed the Hovitos to Brazil but was soon captured. They originally planned to feed Jones to crocodiles but the resourceful archaeologist was able to escape and make his way aboard Xomec and Ilsa's escape plane. Indy defeated both of his enemies in the air before the plane crashed into the water below. Jones appeared to be the only survivor as he rose to the shore clutching the idol in his hand.
Although the Fertility Idol played a minor role in the Indiana Jones films, it has become an iconic part of the franchise. Replicas of the idol have been made available for purchase during anniversary events for Raiders of the Lost Ark. This year is no different as Disney released a prop replica of the idol for $130 this past June for Raiders 40th anniversary. The replica's pre-orders were sold out within hours of being made available.
While artifacts like the Ark of the Covenant and The Temple of Doom's Sankara Stones appear to possess supernatural abilities, the Fertility Idol is nothing more than gold. The Fertility Idol might not have been important enough to get its own movie but its role in Raiders has left a lasting imprint on the franchise.