Dr. Jones, I presume │ Sylvanus Grisley Morley: the Real Indiana Jones

Sylvanus Morely

If you ever wondered whether Indiana Jones was based on a real person, in my opinion, this guy is it. Sylvanus Grisley Morely.

As a young girl, my first desire in a career - other than writing - was archeology. Egyptology, to be precise.

Unfortunately, I didn't pursue that path. But I am sort of an archeologist, in a round-about, modern, more-convenient sort of way.

Today, the vintage sourcing I do for my shop is no different than what archeologists do. (Okay, let's be real, it's nothing like true archeology.)

My finds aren't nearly as old or valuable, nor do I have to dig in the dirt to find what I want. Nevertheless, what I do is still treasure hunting. And trust me, digging around for clothing in all the thrift stores is not easy. So, in the end, I believe I was destined to sell vintage because it's somewhat related to archeology. A cousin, if you will.

So, when I came across Morely's photo the other day, it stopped me. I mean, who does it look like?

Dr. Jones, of course: Harrison Ford, as the famed Indiana Jones.

Harrison Ford

Sylvanus Grisley Morley was an American archaeologist and epigrapher who studied the pre-Columbian Maya civilization in the early 20th century. 

Later in his career, after achieving an engineering degree (he didn't want), he finally began the trajectory toward archeology (despite his father's disapproval), and received an undergraduate degree in archeology from Harvard.

That began his exploration, discoveries, and mystery-solving, which included working as a spy for the US government (Yes, it involved watching the activities of the German movement. Naturally.)

Read more about him on Wikipedia or do a Google search. He's a fascinating man.

I'm sure if Indiana Jones had been a real person, he'd be good friends with his doppelganger. Morley was the pinnacle of mashing up archeology and attractiveness, in my book. Just like Dr. Jones.

Sylvanus Morely

While Indiana Jones is fiction, Sylvanus Morely is the real deal. 

There are books about him too, and I'm probably going to read a few now since I'm now curious about who this "real Indiana Jones" was.

He was the real risk-taker, the real researcher, the real lover of archeological finds, and most likely, telling everyone around him with his stupendous finds, "This belongs in a museum!"

Cheers.