A theory on dungeonness

 What exactly makes a dungeon a dungeon? I've previously thought about the minimum size of one but the very nature is something else entirely. I've been working on a series of novellas lately (expect a link to the release of the first one in October – but it'll be in German) and started wondering, what of the adventures my hero has actually constitutes a dungeon.

I believe that there are three hard factors and a checklist of soft factors that make a location into a dungeon. Of course, your personal definition may vary but this one is mine:

A dungeon must be an enclosed location. Open air maze? No dungeon.
A dungoen must have some sort of treasure in it. That treasure can be abstract, like an information, knowledge etc.

Now it also needs to confirm with my minimum dungeon size (see link above) so:

A dungeon must not be completely visible from the entrance. If it's just a single, unobstructed room, that's no dungeon.

Let's talk about soft factors. The dungeon should have at least two of these (and it can be multiples in the same category):

A dungeon should have an obstacle.
A dungeon should have a riddle.
A dungeon should have a trap.
A dungeon should have an enemy.

These make up the dungeon-score. Let's put the thing to the test using Indiana Jones (because I'm writing pulp adventure and don't want to spoil my own stories.

The temple in the beginning of Raiders of the Lost Ark:

-Is an enclosed location.
-Has a very obvious treasure.
-Is pretty damn big and cannot be overseen from anywhere.

So check for the hard factors. Soft factors?
-Has an obstacle (pit that Indy and his lackey swing across).
-Has a riddle (the trap trigger underneath the golden idol).
-Has (at least) three traps (spikes, arrow-launchers, stone-ball self destruct mechanism)
-Whether or not it has an enemy is arguable but let's say it doesn't.

So it comes out with a dungeon score of five. Pretty good.

The excavation site in Egypt in Raiders of the Lost Ark:

-Is an enclosed location.
-Has treasure in the form of information: Where is the Ark?
-Has nooks and corners.

Check for thard factors. Let's go to the soft factors:
-Has an arguable obstacle: Indy needs to climb into the place, after all.
-Has a really cool riddle with that staff and the light and all.

This one comes out with a dungeon score of just two but that's enough to qualify (if not much more than that).

The well of souls in Egypt in Raiders of the Lost Ark:

-Is an enclosed location.
-Has arguably the most valuable treasure in the world.
-Has nooks, corners, and even hidden rooms full of mummies.

Hard factors are check. Soft factors?
-Has the same arguable obstacle of needing to climb into it.
-Has another obstacle in the shape of a wall Indy must tear down.
-Has what is either a trap or an enemy in the form of swarms of snakes.

So it has a dungeon score of three. I have this as a Lego set sitting next to me (my kids gave it to me as a birthday gift). Love it.