As I said earlier in the thread, I've had my misgivings about the Garden of Eden idea as well. However, I'd like to address bobs points one by one. I think with a little bit of clarification, you can see how the idea *could* work.
1. Would God really just let man back into the Garden?
A. Nope. Mankind was indeed cast out after eating from the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. This gave man a conscience, and thus the responsibility to use it. However, after re-reading the passage from Genesis that I mentioned earlier in the thread, I learned that the WAY to the Tree was kept by the flaming sword. The capitalization of "WAY" is intentional. Prior to my research, I had interpreted this passage to mean that any mortal who approached the Garden would be struck down by a "sword of fire". I envisioned completely incineration.
After researching the passage, though, I learned that the actual guardian of the Garden is not the sword, but the Cherubims (or spirit guardians). The Cherubim only allow those to pass who come by the WAY of the Sword of Fire.
Researching the Sword of Fire, I found that most biblical scholars interpret the Sword of Fire as the Word of God.
To get more in depth, Man was cast out of the Garden because he had obtained the knowledge of Good and Evil, but by eating from that tree man had already broken their first covenant with God (NOT to eat from the tree). Had man eaten from the Tree of Life, he would've been immortal, and forever sealed in his fallen condition.
Man was cast out of the Garden to prevent his eating from the Tree of Life, but will be allowed entrance if he comes by way of the Sword (or Word of God.)
One of the principle reasosn that the Sword of Fire is interpreted as the "Word of God" is that God was also referred to as a pillar of fire or a burning bush. Fire represents God many times in the Bible, and his sword and weapons are knowledge...Hence the Sword of Fire becomes the Word of God. Those who come by the Garden armed with the knowledge and belief of the word of God, and the conscious knowledge to use it in service to God are able to pass by the Cherubim. Those who try to advance by circumventing the "Word of God" I would imagine would meet a terrible end.
Getting into Revelations, on the day of Judgement the test will be administered...those who come by the way of the sword will eat of the Tree of Life and ascend to Heaven as immortals to live forever with God.
(At least, this seems to be the popular interpreation of the relevant passages)
As to Indy being in a fantastical environment, I don't know that that is the case at all. Why does the Garden have to be a Paradise on Earth? Remember that the way to the Garden was sealed, but by way of the Sword of Fire. I would guess that unless you pass by way of the Sword, the Garden wouldn't even be visible..and may even appear to be a desolate wasteland. After all, why would somebody traverse into a desolate wasteland when nobody believes anything exists there? What better way to remain hidden than to not be seen? Only those who stumble onto the entrance and confronted by the Cherubim, who pass by way of the Sword could see the actual Garden - and it need not be fantastical...only tropical and verdant, with a very large tree.
2. Supernatural Overload - Fantasy Environment.
A. - I would suggest that you take a look at the original movies again. The Ark of the Covenant had some pretty pissed off spirits at the end of Raiders, and in Temple of Doom I'm pretty sure that Indy was serious when he stated that Mola Ram betrayed Shiva. The power of the Grail can't be denied when you watch it heal Henry Jones wounds. Are these things not supernatural?
Sure, they're done in a "B" movie way, but that doesn't mean that the Garden couldn't be done likewise. I imagine that the Cherubim are some pretty intense "B" movie spirit guardians, eager to carry the souls of the unbelievers to the underworld. Again, I don't see why the Garden itself needs to be an overdone Paradise. In my view, the Garden would be lush, verdant, and tropical...beautiful, but simple, without the complications of the world. Also a very beautiful couple of trees and a devious serpent.
3. Eden has nothing to do with Archaeology
A. I don't know that this is true either. Eden is largely considered a mythical place...however, so it Atlantis, but you will find believers in the sunken continent on this Earth as well. Just because most people don't believe Eden exists doesn't mean that it doesn't, or couldn't.
In fact, I can see a fairly easy way to pique Professor Jones interest. Earlier in this thread I mentioned an ancient Babylonian Tablet whose inscription made reference to a Garden located 12 miles South of Ur, where a Tree that reached into the Heavens was planted by the Gods, and no man entered. The plaque actually DOES exist...and I'm sure would be considered an interesting artifact. Suppose that Indy is the one who discovered the plaque...could an attempt by made on his life by someone who wanted to protect the secret location of the Garden? And would this not pique Jones interest? Perhaps there are rumors of a very ancient man living nearby...the method hardly matters, but there are many ways to introduce archeaology and bring Jones into the search. The finding of the plauqe itself would constitute archeaology, but archeaology is more than just digging out artifacts...it also takes into the account the civilizations that produced the artifacts in question, and what their worldview is. Anthropology is very much involved in archaeology, and where better to mix the two then the birthplace of civilization itself?
4. Eden has none of the cultural baggage of the Ark, stones, or Grail.
A. You mention that nobody has claimed to find the Garden of Eden, as various people have claimed to find the Ark or the Grail. I take it that you mean that nobody "recently" has claimed to have found Eden. This is due in large part to the view that you seem to hold as well...that Eden is simply an allegorical myth. However, the plaque that I mentioned earlier would seem to indicate that at SOME point, SOMEBODY truly believed in Eden and the location of the Tree of Life. As I mentioned before, just because the majority doesn't believe in the existence of something, doesn't mean that others don't.
5. Introduction of Eden would introduce a religious element not present in the other movies.
A. See answer #1 above...the religious element has been present in every single Indy movie. Whether you choose to see it as serious or "B" movie doesn't really matter. There's no reason the Garden couldn' tbe presented in a "B" movie manner either.
6. The introduction of the Garden of Eden would probably kill the Indy series, as where do you go after that?
A. Actually, I think the Indy series is probably killing itself after this movie anyway. This movie is intended to be the "Last Hurrah" of Indiana Jones, so why not go out with a bang? Also, you state that the Garden would be the Ultimate, but not "the best." I'm curious as to what WOULD be the best, in your opinion? Trying to compile a list of artifacts to search for has been difficult...there are plenty of known legends, such as the Legend of Excalubur, but these generally are well KNOWN to be myths. Historical artifacts are tougher, but I'd love to hear any ideas you have.
7. There is no unambiguous artifact associated with the Garden of Eden. What would you do, cut off a branch and plant it? How will a tree destroy the baddie? Flaming Angelic Swords?
A. This is probably my favorite list of points that you make. I think I can answer each point to your satisfaction, and would love to hear additional comments:
The artifact taken from the Garden of Eden would be an Apple from the Tree of Life. I would imagine that these would be no ordinary Apple. They would probably survive and thrive just fine even when long-removed from the tree, and I would imagine they are larger and possibly different even in appearance to a normal apple. I picture a large round apple, flawless, with silver skin. The Apple itself would restore vitality and vigor.
As to what you would do with it, I would imagine you'd just pick the apple and eat it. I doubt if another "Tree of Life" could be grown, outside of the Garden itself. (The land outside of the Garden has been tainted by the casting out of Man. Weeds and other reminders were created by God as a reminder of the breaking of the first covenant.
As to how the baddie would be destroyed, the Tree wouldn't have any part of it, but the Cherubim would. The Cherubim seem to be guardian spirits placed to the East of the Garden to protect the entrance and prevent those who don't come by way of the Sword of Fire from entering. Remember, the sword of fire is NOT a literal sword of fire...it's a reference to a method of entrance to the Garden.
Anyway...I'm sorry I've rambled on so long, but I thought you made some good points, and I wanted to see if I could address them. What are your thoughts?
Lorn