"The Pharaoh's Curse" Many ancient civilizations are shrouded in mystery and tales of curses. One such famous curse surrounds the pharaohs of ancient Egypt. The belief in the pharaoh's curse stems from the discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb by British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922. Legend has it that anyone who dares to disturb the resting place of a pharaoh will be plagued by misfortune and death. This belief gained popularity after Lord Carnarvon, who financed Carter's expedition, died shortly after the tomb's discovery. His death was attributed to the pharaoh's curse, which captured the world's attention.
Corroboration for Tutankhamun’s curse mounted as people died who could be associated in some way with Carnavon or with the tomb. More rational explanations of these deaths were overlooked by the reporters, who could finally get a scoop and not have to wait for the Times to present their facts. Throughout the world, the story of the death of Carnarvon was recounted in detail, though not necessarily with accuracy. The press began to have a field day after the death of Carter’s conservator (A.C. Mace of the Metropolitan Museum of Art); the fact that Mace had had pleurisy for a long time did not appear to affect the storytellers. So another man fell to the curse. A friend of Carnarvon’s who was infirm and elderly was the next to succumb. Then the Egyptologist, archaeologist, and writer Weigall (whom Carter and Carnarvon had attempted to keep out of the tomb under any circumstances) died too, supposedly from the curse. An Egyptian prince was murdered in London by his jealous French wife–another victim! Soon the papers carried stories of curators and workmen from museums all over the world, who had neither visited the tomb nor come into close contact with any of its contents, but had nevertheless been struck down. Nervous people began cleaning out their basements and attics and sending their Egyptian relics to museums in order to avoid being the next victim.
Conversely, one of the objects that remained in the collection and is now on exhibit in the Cairo Museum may not have come from its designated find spot. As my eyes grew accustomed to the light, details of the room within emerged slowly from the mist, strange animals, statues, and gold - everywhere the glint of gold.
His death was attributed to the pharaoh's curse, which captured the world's attention. The pharaoh's curse is said to bring bad luck, illness, and even death to those who disturb the sacred tombs. Some accounts claim that the curse is a supernatural force keen on protecting the pharaoh's resting place and punishing anyone who desecrates it.
The Curse of Pharaoh Tutankhamun
It's 1922 in Thebes, Egypt, and the esteemed archaeologist, Howard Carter, alongside his financial backer, Lord Carnarvon, holds a flickering match up to the darkness. They're underneath the Egyptian sand, at the mouth of the tomb of the Boy Pharaoh Tutankhamen. Hot air, trapped for 1000s of years, escapes the ancient doorway.
"King Tut" (1924-01-03)LIFE Photo Collection
“. As my eyes grew accustomed to the light, details of the room within emerged slowly from the mist, strange animals, statues, and gold - everywhere the glint of gold. For the moment - an eternity it must have seemed to the others standing by - I was struck dumb with amazement, and when Lord Carnarvon, unable to stand the suspense any longer, inquired anxiously, 'Can you see anything?' it was all I could do to get out the words, 'Yes, wonderful things.”
― Howard Carter
"King Tut" (1922)LIFE Photo Collection
After years and years of searching, the pair had found the final resting place of the famous child king, uncovering the most well-preserved tomb in Egypt's Valley of the Kings.
"Howard Carter with Tutankhamen's coffin" (1922)LIFE Photo Collection
Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon became instant celebrities, but all was not well for long.
LIFE Photo Collection
As legend has it, there is an ancient curse associated with the mummys and tombs of the Egyptian pharaohs. Disturbing these embalmed remains has been said to bring bad luck, illness and death.
LIFE Photo Collection
Shortly after unearthing King Tut's tomb, Carnarvon was found dead. A mosquito bite on his face had become infected, leading to deadly blood poisoning.
And he would not be the only death, illness or unlucky occurrence associated with this expedition. Carnarvon's half-brother also died from blood poisoning, Sir Archibald Douglas-Reid died from a mysterious illness, and George Jay Gould died from a fever following his visit to Egypt, among many others. Objects from the tomb were given as gifts to Carter's friend Sir Bruce Ingram, whose house burned down not long after. After being rebuilt, the house then flooded.
"Granite statue of Tutankhamun as a priest of Hapy" (-1350/-1350)British Museum
The result of a deadly ancient curse, or a circumstantial coincidence? That's for you to decide.
ОрганизаторыНекоторые истории создаются независимыми авторами и не всегда отражают позицию организаций, предоставивших материалы.
Others argue that the curse is nothing more than a series of coincidences and health issues faced by those involved in excavating the tombs. Regardless of one's beliefs, the pharaoh's curse has captivated the world's imagination and become a source of fascination for archaeologists, historians, and the general public. It adds an element of danger and mystery to the exploration and study of ancient Egyptian artifacts. The allure of the curse has sparked numerous books, movies, and documentaries, perpetuating its widespread fame. However, it is essential to note that not all archaeologists and experts believe in the curse. Many attribute the misfortunes faced by some to natural causes, such as exposure to harmful bacteria or excessive exposure to ancient dust and pollutants. These critics argue that the pharaoh's curse is nothing more than superstition and folklore created to sensationalize archaeological discoveries. Despite the skepticism, the pharaoh's curse remains deeply ingrained in popular culture and continues to capture the public's imagination. It serves as a cautionary tale to respect ancient burial sites and the artifacts they contain. In conclusion, the pharaoh's curse is an enduring legend associated with the discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb. Its allure lies in the idea that disturbing the resting place of a pharaoh will bring about misfortune and death. While some attribute the curse to supernatural forces, others dismiss it as mere coincidence. Regardless, the pharaoh's curse remains a captivating element of ancient Egyptian history and archaeology..
Reviews for "The Pharaoh's Curse: A Story of Archaeological Discoveries and Tragedies"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Pharaoh's Curse". The plot was predictable and lacked any suspense or thrill. The characters were two-dimensional and I couldn't connect with any of them. Additionally, the writing style was lackluster and didn't captivate my attention. Overall, I found the book to be unoriginal and underwhelming.
2. James - 1 star - "The Pharaoh's Curse" was a complete waste of time for me. The story dragged on and on, with unnecessary details that didn't contribute to the plot. The dialogue was cheesy and unrealistic, making it difficult for me to take the book seriously. Not to mention, the ending was so anticlimactic that I felt robbed of my time and money. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
3. Susan - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "The Pharaoh's Curse", but it failed to meet them. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself getting bored halfway through. The characters were poorly developed, and their actions often felt forced or unrealistic. The historical references felt forced and didn't add anything meaningful to the story. Overall, I was disappointed and felt like this book had so much more potential.
4. David - 2 stars - I found "The Pharaoh's Curse" to be a mediocre read. The plot was predictable, and I could see the ending coming from a mile away. The writing lacked depth and vibrancy, and I found it hard to connect with any of the characters. Although the concept of an ancient curse was intriguing, the execution fell flat. It was an okay book, but I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it.