Indianajones
Object

Fedora's Crew's Shovels and Pick-Axes

Used for the physical labor of excavating the Pueblo kiva's chamber, including striking stone and soil to unearth the Cross of Coronado. These tools are wielded by Fedora's men (Roscoe, Rough Rider) and later abandoned in favor of hand-digging, while Indiana Jones observes their use from hiding.
3 appearances

Purpose

Excavating the Pueblo kiva's buried chamber to access and unearth the Cross of Coronado

Significance

These tools enable the grave robbers' plunder of the sacred artifact, igniting young Indiana Jones's moral outrage and prompting his first bold attempt to reclaim the Cross for preservation.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

3 moments
S1E3 · INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE
The Cross of Coronado: A Boy’s First Stand Against Plunder

The shovels and pick-axes are the tools of the grave robbers’ trade, used to break into the Pueblo’s secret kiva and unearth the Bejeweled Cross of Coronado. Their rhythmic clanging against stone and soil creates a sense of urgency and violation, underscoring the sacrilege of the dig. When the Cross is discovered, the tools are cast aside in favor of hand-digging, symbolizing the shift from labor to celebration. Indy’s theft of the Cross renders these tools useless—the robbers abandon them in their frenzied pursuit, leaving them scattered in the kiva as evidence of their crime.

Before: In active use by the grave robbers, striking against the earth and stone of the kiva floor. Their clanging is a constant backdrop to the excavation.
After: Abandoned in the kiva, strewn about as the robbers drop them to chase after Indy. They symbolize the interruption of the looting and the robbers’ single-minded focus on recapturing the Cross.
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S1E3 · INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE
Indy’s Solo Heist: The Cross of Coronado Stolen in Plain Sight

Fedora’s crew’s shovels and pick-axes are the tools used to excavate the Pueblo kiva and unearth the Bejeweled Cross of Coronado. These implements are wielded with urgency and greed, breaking into the secret chamber and digging through the earth until the box containing the Cross is discovered. The clanging and scraping of the tools create a sense of frenzied activity, underscoring the robbers’ desperation to find valuables. Once the Cross is stolen, the tools are abandoned as the gang shifts focus to the chase, leaving them scattered in the kiva as evidence of their illicit activity.

Before: The shovels and pick-axes are in the hands of the grave robbers, being used to dig through the earthen floor of the kiva. They are caked with dirt and spider webs, reflecting the labor-intensive process of excavation.
After: The shovels and pick-axes are left abandoned in the kiva as the grave robbers abandon their digging to chase after young Indiana Jones. They lie scattered on the ground, their purpose fulfilled but their presence a reminder of the robbers’ interrupted looting.
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S1E3 · INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE
The Cross of Coronado: Indy’s First Heist and Fedora’s Chilling Pursuit

The Shovels and Pick-Axes are the tools used by Fedora’s crew to excavate the kiva. They are wielded with a mix of brute force and precision, breaking through the earthen floor to uncover the box containing the Cross. The rhythmic clinking of metal against stone creates an ominous backdrop to the scene, underscoring the robbers’ determination. Once the Cross is discovered, the tools are discarded in favor of hand-digging, but their presence earlier in the event establishes the crew’s methodical (if destructive) approach to their work. For Indy, these tools symbolize the desecration of history—another reason he feels compelled to act.

Before: In use by the robbers, striking against the earth and stone of the kiva floor. Their clinking sounds echo through the passageway, creating a tense atmosphere.
After: Abandoned on the kiva floor as the robbers shift to hand-digging and then pursue Indy. They lie scattered, a testament to the sudden shift from excavation to chaos.
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