T is for Treasure Hunter

Everyone loves an adventure, and what's more adventurous than searching for lost treasure? Truth be told, I've always wished I were a professional treasure hunter. Not simply because finding a vast wealth of gold or precious jewels would make me unimaginably rich . . . though that's certainly a draw. But more to the point, I long to experience an adventure of my own. Sigh. Still, if I can't take off for worlds unknown myself, I'm glad I can experience it through the following treasure hunters . . . 

T is for Treasure Hunters 

Indiana Jones (Indiana Jones trilogy - the fourth one doesn't exist in my world) – Perhaps the most famous treasure hunter in the history of American cinema, Indiana Jones is the handsome archaeology professor who can't be confined to the classroom. Transforming from the tweed-wearing intellectual to a fedora-wearing, whip-cracking, thrill-seeker, Indy represents a common desire to escape our mundane day jobs and take off to the ends of the world in search of treasure . . . and more importantly, adventure. 

Lara Croft (Tomb Raider games and movie series) – An intelligent, athletic, aristocratic, and – ahem – busty archaeologist, Lara Croft is the hero of female gamers world wide. She brings a whole new meaning to the term "girl power" and a certain femininity to the world of treasure hunting. With her agile grace and kick-butt attitude, Lara reminds us that she's an adventurer first and a lady second. 

Jim Hawkins (Treasure Island/Treasure Planet) – A mere boy not yet past puberty, Jim Hawkins is the son of an innkeeper, living a quiet life near Bristol, England. But when an old pirate on the run dies in front of Jim's eyes, he discovers the pirate's hidden treasure map and sets off on a quest to find it with a salty crew of seamen. [I enjoyed following Jim Hawkins on his literary adventure as a child, and similarly loved the Disney remake of the novel, Treasure Planet.] 

Jack Colton (Romancing the Stone) – The love interest in my favorite 80's romantic adventure flicks, Jack Colton is on the hunt for a quick fortune. And when shy, romance novelist Joan Wilder comes running his way with a treasure map in her hands and gun-toting bad guys on her (highly inappropriate for trekking through the jungle) heels, he sees the opportunity of a lifetime. 

Benjamin "Finn" Finnegan (Fool's Gold) – Finn may not be honest. He may not be responsible. But when it comes to searching for sunken treasure ships, he's the best around. With the potential to make history – and a fortune – by uncovering the lost Spanish galleon Aurelia,  Finn and his ex-wife Tess are on the hunt. The treasure hunt, that is. 

The Goonies (The Goonies) – A band of young boys from the "Goon Docks" attempting to save their neighborhood from being demolished, the Goonies are the heroes of my childhood. With time running out and their homes on the line, they find an old Spanish map in Mikey's attic and hatch a plan to find One-Eyed Willy's buried treasure. 

And there you have it, my Top 5 (or 6, again. I may as well stop kidding myself and calling it Top 5 in the first place) favorite Treasure Hunters. What are some of your favorites?

__________________________________________________________________________________

This post is part of the Blogging A through Z Challenge 2013. My theme (in case you didn't already guess) is character types and tropes. Stay tuned for the rest of the alphabet, and if you’d like to check in on the other participants, simply click here.