The mystery of the package only deepened when it was opened. Inside the UC staff found a very detailed replica of Abner Ravenwood's journal, along with numerous postcards and pictures including some of Marion Ravenwood, Abner's daughter. There was also some old replica money and the stamps on the outside of the envelope also resembled those that would have come from the 1930's, when Indiana Jones was going off on many of his adventures.
Now, who ever sent this package clearly knows their Indiana Jones lore and history. Not only did they know his full name, which isn't given in the films and is shared only once in the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles television show, but they also know that as a young man he attended the University of Chicago. It was there that he met Professor Ravenwood and eventually his daughter. Ravenwood never appeared in the films either, but he was mentioned extensively in Raiders of the Lost Ark, the first film in the series. Marion was played in that film by Karen Allen, who would reprise the role in 2008's Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
Who exactly sent the package, and why, remains a mystery. There is some speculation that it could be viral marketing before the announcement of a fifth film, although I personally don't think that it the case. The contents of the envelope were painstakingly put together though and who ever did it sure has a keen eye for detail. The journal is said to have extensive writing and notes in it that are consistent with the stories on which it is based. Including photos and postcards from the era is a nice touch too, and getting them to look authentic couldn't have been easy.
As a big fan of the movies (the Raider's Theme is the ringtone on my phone) I found this story to be fun and interesting. Not sure what, if anything, it is leading to, but I would have loved to have found that package on my doorstep. I salute the fan who put it together, as it had to be a labor of love.
To read the full story, and get caught up in the mystery yourself, click here.