Update!

Mysterious Package Sent to Indiana Jones at University of Chicago

School's admissions department is baffled after receiving an envelope addressed to the fictional archaeologist

By Peter Gicas Dec 14, 2012 3:25 PMTags
Indiana Jonesuchicagoadmissions.com, Paramount Pictures

UPDATE: The mysterious package was from "Ravenbar" (real name: Paul, from Guam) on Ebay, but was meant to be sent to a man in Italy. Turns out, Paul received a letter from the post office in Hawaii stating the the outer package of something he had mailed had been found without its contents at their facility, but found the school's address on the manila wrapping (for effect), so they sent it to the University. The good news? Paul decided to send another package to this man in Italy, and let the school keep the notebook for display.

Indiana Jones, you've got mail. Wait, what?!

Well, that certainly seems to be the case given how the admissions department at the University of Chicago received a package earlier this week addressed to Henry Walton Jones, Jr. aka our beloved hero from Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Of course, as fans of the film franchise know, the fictional fedora-wearing archaeologist played by Harrison Ford was also a professor at the school.

According to the university's official Tumblr, the manila envelope contained "an incredibly detailed replica" of a journal belonging to Abner Ravenwood, Indiana's mentor and father of his love interest, Marion Ravenwood.

The package also included "weathered inserts and many postcards/pictures of Marion Ravenwood (and some cool old replica money)" and "it's clear that it is mostly, but not completely handmade, as although the included paper is weathered all of the 'handwriting' and calligraphy lacks the telltale pressure marks of actual handwriting."

And while the package did not have real stamps on it, but rather vintage ones that looked to have been photocopied, it still wound up in the mail, which suggests that it was most likely planted internally.

The university, while baffled but nevertheless impressed by such an elaborate joke, is curious to find out who is behind it.

"If you're an applicant and sent this to us: Why? How? Did you make it? Why so awesome," posted the admissions office along with an email address. "Any hints, ideas thoughts, or explanations are appreciated."