The curse of the mummy is a popular topic in folklore and has been captivating people's imaginations for centuries. The concept of the curse originated from the discovery of ancient Egyptian tombs and the mummified remains found within them. Many individuals believe that disturbing the resting place of a mummy can bring about a string of misfortunes, sometimes leading to death. The notion of the curse gained significant attention during the late 19th and early 20th centuries when archaeologists started exploring ancient tombs in Egypt. Stories began to circulate about the tragic fates that befell those who had tampered with these resting places. Such tales only fueled people's fascination with the curse and added an air of mystery and danger to the exploration of ancient civilizations.
To survive through these long periods of waiting, the microbes must enter a vegetative state that persists until they are in contact with their hosts once more. For Aspergillus, this would be in the form of spores.
However, for people who have weakened immune systems, breathing in Aspergillus spores can cause an infection in the lungs or sinuses which can spread to other parts of the body. 01 FLE On Shelf Central Falls Adams Memorial - Children s J 932 Fle On Shelf Cumberland - Children s 932 FLE J Checked Out October 24, 2023 East Greenwich - Children s j932 FLE On Shelf East Smithfield - Children s 932.
Such tales only fueled people's fascination with the curse and added an air of mystery and danger to the exploration of ancient civilizations. One of the most famous examples of the curse is the story surrounding the opening of Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922. The British archaeologist Howard Carter discovered the tomb of the young pharaoh, and shortly after its opening, a series of strange events took place.
King Tutankhamun and the Mummy's Curse That Killed Nine Explorers
One hundred years after its discovery, the tomb of Tutankhamun remains one of the most famous archaeological finds of all time. Surrounding this fame is a mystery that has gripped the public imagination for decades and transformed the boy king into a pop culture icon: The curse of the mummy.
On November 4, 1922, in Egypt's Valley of the Kings, British Egyptologist Howard Carter stumbled across a crumbling step, half hidden beneath the debris from the tomb of Ramesses IV. Digging further, he discovered more steps, leading to a sealed stone door.
Carter called on his sponsor, Lord Carnarvon, to join him at the site, and together they uncovered one of the most impressive finds in the history of Egyptology.
A file photo of the burial mask of Tutankhamun. Many believe the archaeologists who discovered the boy king's tomb also released a deadly curse. hayley/Getty
The tomb contained over 5,000 artifacts: gold, jewelry, food offerings and ornate statues. But treasure wasn't the only thing that the archaeologists unearthed.
Five months after the excavation, Lord Carnarvon died, supposedly due to pneumonia and blood poisoning brought on by an infected mosquito bite. A month later, George Jay Gould, a wealthy American financier who had visited the tomb, died from the same affliction.
In 1924, British archaeologist Hugh Evelyn-White hanged himself, allegedly leaving a note that read: "I have succumbed to the mummy's curse." Later that year, the radiologist who x-rayed the mummy before it was given to museum authorities, died of an unidentifiable illness.
Within a decade, at least nine people with connections to the excavation had died. Many were convinced that this was evidence for the rumors of the mummy's curse. But could there be another explanation?
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In the 1970s, the 500-year-old tomb of a Polish King, Casimir IV Jagiellon, was opened for the first time at Wawel cathedral in Krakow. Within a few days of the excavation, four of the 12 researchers had died, and several others died in the months that followed.
Despite rumors of an ancient curse, scientists were quick to find an alternative explanation. Samples taken from the dead king's corpse revealed that he had been riddled with the fungal spores of Aspergillus flavus.
"Most people breathe in Aspergillus spores every day without getting sick," Tom Chiller, chief of the Mycotic Diseases Branch of the CDC, told Newsweek. "However, for people who have weakened immune systems, breathing in Aspergillus spores can cause an infection in the lungs or sinuses which can spread to other parts of the body."
The resulting condition is called aspergillosis. "There are different types of aspergillosis," Chiller said. "Some types are mild, but some of them are very serious and may be deadly."
While Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common species of Aspergillus fungi in the U.S., Aspergillus flavus is more commonly found in Asia. As well as causing aspergillosis, this species has another nasty trick up its sleeve.
"A. flavus produces a toxin, flavitoxin, on stored grain," Chiller said. "This toxin can be harmful or fatal to humans and animals and is a major source of crop spoilage."
Among the treasures in Tutankhamun's tomb were bags of bread and raw grain, which may have supported the growth of this fungus. But, if Aspergillus flavus was really responsible for the mummy's curse, it would have had to lie waiting inside the boy king's tomb for a very long time.
A file photo of the sign for Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings. Aspergillus fungus may have been lying dormant in the boy king's tomb for millennia. standby/Getty
"Aspergillus are spore formers and, while preferring carbon rich substrates, [like] rotting logs, and damp conditions. they can survive in nutrient poor conditions with minimal water," Michael Wise, a computer scientist from the University of Western Australia who studies microbial informatics, told Newsweek.
For most disease-causing organisms, killing their host is not beneficial as it prevents their transmission. However, if an organism was able to survive for long periods of time outside of their host, they could potentially evolve to be more lethal. This theory has become known as the sit-and-wait hypothesis.
In 2017, Wise and his team found genetic evidence that microbes with the potential to use this tactic tend to be more durable and more virulent than other species, providing support for the theory. The study was conducted in bacteria, but it's likely that similar principles apply to fungi, like Aspergillus.
"The sit-and-wait tactic is beneficial any time a microbe is likely to be exposed to the environment, where it needs to persist until the next host encounter," Wise said. "This is in contrast to obligate pathogens, like SARS-CoV2, which must be passed from host to host, and will perish if exposed to the environment."
To survive through these long periods of waiting, the microbes must enter a vegetative state that persists until they are in contact with their hosts once more. For Aspergillus, this would be in the form of spores.
Aspergillus fungi are known to live on dead bodies and decaying matter and have been detected on other Ancient Egyptian mummies. Aspergillus poisoning also fits as a contributing factor to the deaths of at least three of the victims of the so-called mummy's curse. Therefore, while it is impossible to know for sure, Aspergillus infection may be science's answer to the curse of Tutankhamun.
"It is plausible," Wise said. "[And] modern environmental metagenomics is getting to the point of being able to resolve the question."
Members of the excavation team fell ill, and some died unexpectedly. Rumors spread that these events were a direct result of the curse placed upon anyone who dared disturb the pharaoh's eternal resting place. However, it is crucial to approach stories of the curse with skepticism. Many of the events attributed to the curse can be explained by coincidences or natural causes. The circumstances surrounding the supposed curse could also be influenced by suggestion and the power of belief. Nonetheless, the curse of the mummy continues to captivate people's curiosity. It is a compelling tale that taps into the fear of the unknown and the consequences of meddling with ancient rituals and traditions. Hollywood films and literature have further perpetuated the idea of the curse, solidifying its place in popular culture. In conclusion, the curse of the mummy is an enduring topic that has fascinated people throughout history. Whether true or not, it serves as a reminder of the power and allure of ancient civilizations and the dangers associated with disturbing their secrets..
Reviews for "Mummy Curses in Literature and Film: From Imagination to Reality?"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - "I was extremely disappointed with 'The Curse of the Mummy'. The storyline was predictable and lacked originality. The acting felt forced, and I didn't connect with any of the characters. The special effects were also quite dated and unimpressive. Overall, I found the movie to be uninspiring and a waste of my time."
2. Alex - 1 star - "I can honestly say that 'The Curse of the Mummy' is one of the worst movies I've seen in recent years. The dialogue was cringe-worthy, and the plot was incredibly convoluted. The pacing was also off, with certain scenes dragging on for far too long. The mummy itself looked more comical than scary, and the attempts at creating suspense fell flat. Save yourself the trouble and avoid this film at all costs."
3. Emma - 2 stars - "As a fan of horror movies, I was excited to watch 'The Curse of the Mummy', but it left me underwhelmed. The scares were predictable and lacked any true intensity. The film relied too heavily on jump scares that weren't even effective. The characters were poorly developed, making it difficult to care about their fates. Overall, it felt like a forgettable and mediocre attempt at a horror film."
4. John - 1 star - "I found 'The Curse of the Mummy' to be a complete waste of my time and money. The plot was confusing and all over the place, leaving me feeling out of touch with what was happening. The acting was subpar, with the actors delivering their lines with little emotion or conviction. The supposed scares were laughable and failed to elicit any real fear. I wouldn't recommend this film to anyone looking for a quality horror experience."