Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: How to Solve the Skeleton Fire Statue Puzzle

3 Key Takeaways:

1. The Skeleton Statue Puzzle is one of the most intriguing challenges in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, requiring players to combine clever puzzle-solving with exploration of Vatican City’s hidden lore.
2. Solving this puzzle involves piecing together clues from the Secret of Giants Fieldwork quest and deciphering the story of the Golden Man through photos.
3. Successfully completing the puzzle grants you a powerful melee weapon – the Donkey’s Jaw – along with access to deeper secrets in the game.

The mysterious world of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is filled with intricate puzzles, secret chambers, and fascinating narratives. Among these challenges, the Skeleton Statue Puzzle stands out as a thought-provoking test of wit and observational skills. If you’ve ventured into the Vatican Catacombs and stumbled upon a room lined with skeletal figures holding torches, you’re in for an adventure. But don’t worry this guide will walk you through the entire process of locating, solving, and conquering this puzzle.

The Skeleton Statue Puzzle: What You Need to Know

The Skeleton Statue Puzzle is found in the underground section of the Tower of Nicolas V, a place teeming with cryptic mysteries. This puzzle combines elements of historical storytelling with logical deduction, making it a highlight of the game. Here’s everything you need to know about finding and solving it.

Finding the Skeleton Statues: Location Guide

To reach the puzzle:

1. Start at the Tower of Nicolas V – After completing the Sacred Wounds Puzzle, continue down the newly opened passageway.
2. Follow the Linear Tunnel – Progress through the tunnel until you arrive at a large chamber featuring a deep hole in the floor.
3. Look to Your Right – Walk past the hole, and you’ll find the room with ten skeletal statues positioned in two rows, five on each side.

Each skeleton is numbered with Roman numerals (I to X) and holds a lamp or torch that can be toggled on or off. The central tomb is your ultimate goal, but unlocking it requires solving the puzzle tied to these skeletons.

Skeleton Puzzle Backstory: The Golden Man and the Secret of Giants

To solve the puzzle, you’ll first need to complete the Secret of Giants Fieldwork quest. This quest tasks you with collecting ten photo inscriptions scattered across Vatican City. These inscriptions hold the key to the puzzle, as they depict the life and death of the enigmatic “Golden Man.”

Here’s what you need to know about the Golden Man’s story:

• The photos chronicle the Golden Man’s journey from a sword exchange to a battle against evil forces, ultimately leading to his death.
• Each photo features a candle beneath it, which is either lit or unlit. These candles correspond to the skeleton torches in the puzzle room.

Solving the Skeleton Statue Puzzle: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Review the Photos: Access your inventory and organize the photos from the Secret of Giants Fieldwork quest in chronological order. The sequence tells the story of the Golden Man.
2. Note Candle States: For each photo, pay attention to whether the candle beneath the Golden Man is lit or unlit.
3. Match the Skeletons: Each photo corresponds to one of the ten skeletons in the room, based on the chronological order of the Golden Man’s life. Light or extinguish the skeleton torches to match the state of the candles in the photos.
4. Follow the Correct Sequence: The solution is as follows:
   • Torch Lit (Skeleton I)
   • Torch Unlit (Skeleton II)
   • Torch Lit (Skeleton III)
   • Torch Lit (Skeleton IV)
   • Torch Unlit (Skeleton V)
   • Torch Lit (Skeleton VI)
   • Torch Lit (Skeleton VII)
   • Torch Unlit (Skeleton VIII)
   • Torch Unlit (Skeleton IX)
   • Torch Lit (Skeleton X)

If done correctly, the tomb at the center of the room will unlock.

Your Reward: The Donkey’s Jaw

Once the tomb opens, you’ll find a strange yet powerful melee weapon the Donkey’s Jaw. This weapon is a nod to the biblical story of Samson, who used a donkey’s jawbone to defeat a thousand Philistines (Judges 15:16). The Donkey’s Jaw in the game boasts high durability, making it a valuable addition to your arsenal for future battles.

Tips for Mastering the Puzzle

• Complete the Secret of Giants Quest First: Without the photos, you won’t have the necessary clues to solve the puzzle.
• Pay Attention to Detail: The lit or unlit candles in the photos are the most crucial aspect of the puzzle.
• Take Notes: Jot down the order of the candles to avoid repeatedly referencing your inventory during the puzzle.
• Explore Thoroughly: The Vatican Catacombs are full of hidden passages and clues. Don’t rush through the exploration, as you might miss vital information.

FAQ: Skeleton Statue Puzzle in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Q: Where do I find the Skeleton Statue Puzzle?
A: The puzzle is located in the underground section of the Tower of Nicolas V, near a large chamber with a hole in the floor.

Q: Do I need to complete the Secret of Giants quest to solve the puzzle?
A: Yes, the photos from the Secret of Giants quest provide the clues needed to solve the puzzle.

Q: What is the reward for completing the puzzle?
A: Solving the puzzle unlocks the tomb in the center of the room, which contains the Donkey’s Jaw a durable and powerful melee weapon.

Q: What do the Roman numerals above the skeletons represent?
A: The Roman numerals (I to X) correspond to the chronological order of the Golden Man’s story as depicted in the Secret of Giants photos.

Q: What is the significance of the Donkey’s Jaw?
A: The Donkey’s Jaw is a reference to a biblical story from Judges 15:16, where Samson used the jawbone of a donkey to defeat a thousand Philistines. In the game, it’s a high-durability melee weapon.