The Ankh of the Ancients

Lore & Background

The Ankh of the Ancients is rooted in Egyptian mythology, believed to grant its possessor control over life and death. According to the game's lore, it was created by an ancient civilization and hidden within a remote island fortress, guarded by traps and puzzles. The artifact is said to be connected to a curse that transforms those who misuse it into monstrous creatures, reflecting the series' theme of greed versus preservation.

In the Uncharted universe, the ankh is more than a treasure; it is a warning. Its power is tied to a mutagenic substance that can twist the human body, making it both a prize and a peril. The artifact's history is intertwined with the stories of explorers like Sir Francis Drake, who sought it but never claimed it, leaving clues for future adventurers like Nathan Drake.

In Their Own Story

The jungle air was thick with decay as Nathan Drake wiped sweat from his brow, the golden ankh glinting in the dim light of the ancient temple. 'This is it,' he whispered, his fingers tracing the carved symbols. But as he lifted it from its pedestal, a low rumble shook the ground—the mechanism of a thousand-year-old trap awakening. Elena's voice crackled over the radio: 'Nate, get out of there—now!' He clutched the ankh, its weight both a burden and a promise, and sprinted through the collapsing corridors, the past and present colliding in a race for survival.

Reader's Guide

In Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, the Ankh of the Ancients is the central artifact that Nathan Drake seeks. It first appears as a hidden treasure on a remote island, discovered after solving a series of environmental puzzles in the temple ruins. The ankh itself is not a usable item in gameplay but serves as a story objective; its retrieval triggers key narrative events, including the revelation of the island's curse.

The artifact has no direct upgrade or variant, but it is linked to the mutagenic substance that transforms enemies into the Descendants—feral, zombie-like creatures. This narrative significance underscores the game's theme: the pursuit of immortality often leads to destruction. The ankh is ultimately recovered by Drake, but its power is neutralized when the island's fortress is destroyed, preventing further misuse. For players, the ankh represents the series' core treasure-hunt premise, blending historical mystery with supernatural danger.

Did You Know?

• The Ankh of the Ancients is inspired by real Egyptian ankh symbols, but its supernatural properties are fictional. | In Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, the ankh is hidden in a secret chamber beneath a statue of a pharaoh, ac