Temple of the Crystal Skull

**The Temple of the Crystal Skull** is a location from the attraction *Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull* and which is connected to the *Tower of Terror* in Tokyo DisneySea.

## Description

The *Temple of the Crystal Skull* is a pyramid temple in the Lost River Delta of Cusco, Peru. The temple supposedly holds the legendary Fountain of Youth but is defended by the sentient Crystal Skull which has plasma related powers to protect the temple.

### Features

* **Fountain of Youth**:
* **Gates of Doom**:
* **Snake Temple**: This was a structure within the temple that held the serpent god, Quetzlcoatl.

## History

### Background

#### Origins

The Temple of the Crystal Skull was created by mesoamerican peoples and which held the Fountain of Youth. The temple was guarded by the Crystal Skull spirit which guarded the temple's waters along with the serpent deity Quetzalcoatl. At some point the temple was lost and absorbed by the jungles of the Lost River Delta.

#### Hightower expedition

In 1883, the Lost River Delta was visited by one Harrison Hightower III, a globetrotting collector who was a member of the Pillagers Brigade and Society of Explorers and Adventurers. Hightower and his valet Smelding stole the head from the water god statue in the temple of the raging spirits. As a result, the deities of the temple became deeply angered.

While in the Lost River Delta, Hightower happened upon the Temple of the Crystal Skull. Hightower seemingly did not excavate the temple but did have a photograph taken of himself in-front of it. When the Hotel Hightower opened in New York City in 1892, decor would include the stolen water idol head and aforementioned photograph of the lost temple.

#### Indiana Jones

In 1931, the Lost River Delta was visited by archaeologist Indiana Jones and the organization known as the League of Adventurers. In the late-May/early-July of that year they successfully uncovered the Temple of the Crystal Skull however the crystal skull spirit within chased out the League of Adventurers. This story was reported on by the weekly journal *First International News*.

Indiana Jones would be lost within the temple searching for the legendary Fountain of Youth and coming into conflict with the Crystal Skull. When Jones' assistant Paco began orchestrating tours of the temple, a group of tourists nearly became victims of the Crystal Skull before being saved by Jones. Jones' family-friend and frequent business affiliate Trader Sam also travelled to the temple following its excavation and took a photograph in-front of the temple.

## Appearances and allusions

### Camp Discovery

An article from the *First International News* newspaper details how Indiana Jones and the League of Adventurers found the Temple of the Crystal Skull.

### Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull

This attraction is set within the Temple of the Crystal Skull.

### Tower of Terror

In the Hotel Hightower is a framed photograph of Harrison Hightower III smoking a cigar in-front of the temple. Additionally there are newspaper articles and a mural detailing the pillaging which Harrison and Smelding partook within the Lost River Delta.

### Other connections

#### Jungle Cruise

##### Skipper Canteen

There is a series of books detailing the Temple of the Crystal Skull written by Paco under the title, "Temple Tours" in the Jungle Navigation Company's library.

##### Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar

There is a photograph of Trader Sam outside of the temple.

#### The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

The 1931 issue of *First International News* covering the disappearance of the Herman family in the Hollywood Tower Hotel while trying to reach the Tip Top Club had the front-page news of, "Lost Temple Found!" with a story of how Indiana Jones discovered the Temple of the Crystal Skull.

## Gallery

A prominent chamber of the templeThe Crystal Skull
## External links

* *Temple of the Crystal Skull* on the *Indiana Jones Wiki*.

## References

1. ↑ https://jungleskipper.com/sea/attractions/tower-of-terror#&gid=1&pid=-c21