You’re trekking through the humid, suffocating jungles of Sukhothai, dodging patrolling guards and trying to keep your hat on straight. If you’re playing Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, you’ve probably stumbled across a tent in Voss’ Camp and seen it: an ornate, unassuming box sitting on a desk. This is the Indiana Jones serpent chest, and it’s easily one of the most frustrating, rewarding, and globe-trotting mysteries in the entire game.
Most side quests in this game are contained to one map. You go somewhere, you punch a guy, you find a trinket, and you're done. Not this one. The serpent chest is basically the developers' way of testing if you were actually paying attention to the environments you visited ten hours ago.
It’s not just a box. It’s a multi-region scavenger hunt that forces you to backtrack through some of the most dangerous corners of the Vatican, Gizeh, and Shanghai. Honestly, if you aren't looking for it, you'll walk right past the clues.
Where to Find the Serpent Chest
First things first: you can’t even start this until you reach the Sukhothai region in Thailand. Once you’re there, you need to head to the northern end of the jungle. There’s a restricted area called Voss’ Camp.
Pro tip: wear the Royal Army disguise if you have it. It makes walking into the lion's den a lot less "get shot in the face" and a lot more "I’m just here for the paperwork." If you don't have the disguise, you’re going to be doing a lot of belly-crawling through the tall grass.
The chest itself is inside a green tent in the southeast corner of the camp. You’ll see a note next to it—Voss’ Letter. Once you read that, the game basically says, "Hey, remember those three massive levels you just finished? Yeah, you need to go back."
The Rebreather Problem
Before you even think about fast-traveling, you need the Rebreather. I’ve seen so many people get all the way to the Vatican or Shanghai only to realize they can’t actually reach the keys because they’re stuck behind an underwater gate.
You get the Rebreather (the Breathing Device) from Tongdang’s Hut in Sukhothai. You’ll need some cash for it, so if you're broke, go finish the "Voss’ Gold Stash" fieldwork first. You can't move the wooden beams underwater without it. It’s a non-negotiable tool for the Indiana Jones serpent chest mystery.
Hunting the Three Ancient Keys
The chest is held shut by three separate locking mechanisms. This means three keys. Three countries. A whole lot of frequent flyer miles for Indy.
1. The Ancient Vatican Key
Go back to Vatican City and head straight for the Excavation Site in the southeast. You’re looking for the Tower of Nicholas V. Deep underground, there’s a room with a crashed bulldozer—it’s hard to miss. Opposite that bulldozer is a passage that leads to a flooded chamber.
This is where the Rebreather comes in. Dive in, find the wooden beam blocking the path, and shift it. Follow the tunnel to the end, and you’ll find the first key sitting there like it’s been waiting for you since the Renaissance.
2. The Ancient Gizeh Key
Next stop: Egypt. You need to return to the Khentkawes Dig Site. Don’t bother with the main elevator; instead, follow the blue power cables through the passage near the generator.
There’s a pool of water hidden behind some rocks on the west side. Dive down, move the debris, and you’ll find a secret room. The Gizeh key is just sitting on top of a pile of sand.
3. The Ancient Shanghai Key
Finally, head to Shanghai. You need to go back to the Canal area where the plane crashed. Follow the water all the way to the end, opposite the broken bridge. There’s another underwater beam here (sensing a pattern?). Move it, swim into the hidden area, and grab the final key.
Why This Chest Actually Matters
So, why do all this? Is it just for the sake of 100% completion? Kinda, but there’s more to it.
Opening the Indiana Jones serpent chest rewards you with a specific Ancient Relic and a massive chunk of Adventure Points (usually around 250). In the world of The Great Circle, those points are your lifeblood for upgrading skills.
But for the lore nerds, this chest is a bridge. It connects the disparate dig sites Voss was investigating. It’s a piece of world-building that proves the Nazis weren't just digging randomly—they were tracking a specific lineage of artifacts that spans the globe.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Brightness Settings: Some of the underwater sections in the Vatican are pitch black. If you can’t see the prompt to move the beam, bump your gamma up in the settings. It’s not cheating; it’s just archaeology.
- The Disguise: Trying to do this in your standard fedora and leather jacket is a nightmare. Voss’ Camp is crawling with enemies. Take the time to find a disguise first.
- Fast Travel Confusion: Some people think they have to replay the story missions. You don’t. Use the "Travel" tab on your map menu to revisit the regions freely.
The Indiana Jones serpent chest isn't just a fetch quest. It’s a reminder that Indy’s world is interconnected. It requires patience, a bit of backtracking, and a willingness to get wet. Once you have all three keys, head back to the tent in Sukhothai, pop the locks, and claim your prize.
Your Next Steps
- Check your inventory: Do you have the Rebreather from Tongdang? If not, stop everything and go get it.
- Clear the camp: Don't try to solve the mystery while being shot at. Clear out the Nazis in Voss' Camp first so you can read the letter in peace.
- Order of operations: Start with the Vatican key. It’s arguably the hardest to navigate, so getting it out of the way first makes the rest of the hunt feel like a breeze.
- Save your points: Use the 250 Adventure Points from the chest to unlock the "True Grit" or "Fast Fingers" skills—they'll make the final chapters of the game much more manageable.