The Curse of Carnarvon is a famous legend surrounding the deaths and misfortunes that befell those involved with the opening of the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun in the early 20th century. Lord Carnarvon, the English peer who financed the excavations in the Valley of the Kings, is believed to have become a victim of this alleged curse. During the winter of 1922, archaeologist Howard Carter and his team discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun, one of the most well-preserved and significant archaeological finds of the century. The tomb was filled with treasures and artifacts, sparking worldwide interest and fascination. However, following the opening of the tomb, a series of unfortunate events occurred. Lord Carnarvon, who had provided the financial support for the expedition, died just a few months after the tomb's discovery.
Lord Carnarvon, who had provided the financial support for the expedition, died just a few months after the tomb's discovery. His death was attributed to an infected mosquito bite he received while in Egypt but was later associated with the curse of Tutankhamun. The alleged curse gained attention when the media sensationalized the deaths and misfortunes that befell several people connected to the excavation and opening of the tomb.
De La Soul Spin “The Magic Number”
Listen to this track by three-man “hippie” hip hop crew from Long Island New York, De La Soul. It’s “The Magic Number”, a single as taken from their 1989 landmark album 3 Feet High and Rising. That record would stand as one of the signs that hip hop and rap were branching off in different directions by the end of the eighties, not only in the way that it was musically structured and textured, but also in terms of presentation and persona.
As the gangsta rap of NWA, and the politicized “CNN for black people” approach of Public Enemy began to make headway by that same era of the late eighties, this record was full of bounce and whimsy, referencing source material outside of hip hop’s traditional wheelhouse, including a sample from a song by Johnny Cash (“5 Feet High And Rising”) found on this track that also suggested a title to the album. Despite the off the beaten track musical choices it represents, 3 Feet High And Rising is commonly cited as a record that served as a bridge from the 1980s into the next decade of the 1990s, and a leap further into the mainstream for hip hop in general. Not bad for a debut record.
As innovative as the record is, De La Soul adhered to many of the tenets of the genre that still can be found in hip hop today; self-reference, self-awareness, and breaking down the fourth wall to remind listeners that that are listening to a record made by artists. The innovation part of the equation on this song is connected those ideas to some things that is found in music of all kinds; mystery and wonder!
The “3” in this song is the three men in De La Soul. As much as that might seem like a simple act of self-proclamation which is common in hip hop, this tune goes beyond that. This track is about the delicate dynamics that exist between artists who mysteriously find each other (“somewhere in this hip hop soul community …”) and are granted the opportunity to collaborate. To me, the lyrics of this song always seemed to suggest a sense of wonder around things that can’t be easily defined when the artistically sympathetic get together.
In this song, when three specific people get together under the De La Soul artistic umbrella, a kind of magic happens that is then translated into a unique sound that would not be possible should any of those three be absent. With three distinct personalities come the unexpected results that might not have emerged otherwise, from Bob Dorough’s Schoolhouse Rock reference to samples that quote the importance and the spiritual affinity that comes with the number three. Three has a mystical quality that can’t quite be accounted for, kind of like music itself.
Three really is a magic number. De La Soul in Berlin in 2004 by foto di matti (www.foto-di-matti.com)
In this, the audience is let into that sense of wonder about the act of making music. Part of the show in this song is being invited behind the curtain and into the world of the people who made the music we’re hearing, who are just as enthralled by it as we are. Whether we’re artists or audience, our attraction toward rhythm, melody, texture, and tone can’t be fully accounted for by any universal analysis. The appeal that those elements reveal to us when combined in seemingly endless ways transcends genre, culture, and era. It is interconnected to human experience itself, it seems. We are driven to make and enjoy music with likeminded people. We are motivated to seek it out from the artists we love, and to cherish it when we find it. No one really knows why or what the biological imperative is, if there even is one.
But, it’s not just about science anyway, I suspect. It’s more like alchemy. Music turns experiences, perceptions, and passions into something we can connect with and share with each other, greater than the sum of its parts. It really is as close to magic as we are likely to get.
“What does it all mean?”
Wonderfully, we don’t always know. And yet at the same time somewhere inside of us, we do.
De La Soul is an active crew today and still with the original three members; Pos, Dave, and Maseo. They’ve recently embarked on a Kickstarter campaign to fund their next album. You can learn more, and donate too, on this page right here.
[UPDATE: June 14, 2016] De La Soul have reached their goal in financing their new record. It’s called And The Anonymous Nobody, to be released on August 26, 2016. For more information about the new record, which features contributions from Snoop Dogg, and Damon Albarn, take a look right here.
Rumors spread that anyone who entered the tomb or had any involvement with it would suffer a curse. Other members of the team, as well as visitors to the tomb, experienced peculiar incidents or untimely deaths. These events further fueled the belief in the curse. However, many skeptics argue that the so-called curse was simply a case of coincidence or incorrect interpretation. Some argue that the curse was a fabrication by British tabloids seeking to sell sensational stories and increase the popularity and allure of the tomb's discovery. Others point out that the cause of the deaths and misfortunes can be explained by natural causes, such as infections or accidents. Despite the skepticism, the legend of the curse of Carnarvon continues to captivate people's imaginations to this day. It has become an integral part of the mythology surrounding the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb and has been popularized in various books, movies, and documentaries. Regardless of the curse's authenticity, there is no denying the profound significance of the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb. The treasures and artifacts found within provided valuable insights into ancient Egyptian culture and continue to intrigue and inspire researchers and enthusiasts around the world..
Reviews for "Is the Curse of Carnarvon Real? Examining the Evidence"
1. Sarah - 2 stars
I found "The Curse of Carnarvon" to be extremely disappointing. The storyline was predictable, and the characters lacked depth, making it hard for me to connect with them. Additionally, the pacing was slow, and the multiple subplots felt unnecessary and confusing. Overall, I was hoping for a thrilling and engaging read, but unfortunately, this book fell short of my expectations.
2. John - 1 star
I honestly could not finish "The Curse of Carnarvon" as it just did not capture my interest at all. The writing style was dull and lacked any kind of excitement. The plot seemed forced and contrived, with the twists and turns feeling forced and unrealistic. The characters were also forgettable and one-dimensional, making it hard for me to care about their fates. I would definitely not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating read.
3. Emily - 2.5 stars
While "The Curse of Carnarvon" had an intriguing premise, it failed to deliver on its promise. The pacing was incredibly slow, with the story dragging on without any real sense of urgency. The characters felt underdeveloped and lacked motivation, leaving me disconnected from their struggles. Furthermore, the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying, leaving me with more questions than answers. Overall, I was left feeling unfulfilled and disappointed by this book.
4. Michael - 2 stars
"The Curse of Carnarvon" had potential, but it ultimately fell flat for me. The historical background and setting were interesting, but the execution of the plot was lacking. The story lacked cohesion, with multiple subplots that never seem to come together in a meaningful way. The dialogue was also stilted and unnatural, making it difficult for me to engage with the characters. Overall, I found this book to be average at best and would not recommend it to others.
5. Laura - 1 star
I was highly disappointed in "The Curse of Carnarvon." The writing style was dry and lacked the captivating descriptions I was hoping for. The characters were forgettable, and their interactions felt forced and unrealistic. The plot was convoluted and difficult to follow, leaving me confused most of the time. Overall, this book failed to engage me on any level, and I would not recommend it to anyone looking for an exciting read.