The curse of the ancient Egyptians is a well-known superstition associated with the tombs and artifacts of Egyptian pharaohs. It is believed that those who disturb the resting places of these ancient rulers will face a series of misfortunes and even death. This legend gained prominence in the early 20th century due to the mysterious deaths of several individuals who were involved in the excavation and opening of King Tutankhamun's burial chamber. According to the curse, anyone who disturbed the sacred tombs would be met with a series of catastrophic events. These events included illness, accidents, and even death. The curse was said to be invoked by the spirits of the deceased pharaohs, who sought to protect their final resting places from human interference.
The curse was said to be invoked by the spirits of the deceased pharaohs, who sought to protect their final resting places from human interference. The curse of the ancient Egyptians has captured the imagination of people around the world, leading to numerous books, movies, and documentaries on the subject. However, many archaeologists and historians dismiss the curse as mere superstition.
7 Ancient Egyptian Curses That Will Give You Goosebumps!
The ancient Egyptians astounded the world with their culture and knowledge. Some of their innovations are still a mystery to us. Archaeologists are working hard, unearthing wonders that we are trying to make sense of through thorough investigations.
With that said, we have always heard of the “mummy’s curse”, a myth— or a group of myths— that has intrigued many over the centuries. To this day some are trying to figure out if there’s truth to the stories.
Most Egyptologists do not believe in the so-called “Curse of the Pharaohs”; nevertheless, the stories are sure frightening. Here are some of the scariest stories on the ancient Egyptian curses.
Tutankhamun’s Curse
A warning on Tutankhamun’s tomb reads, “Death shall approach on rapid wings to him who disrupts the King’s tranquility.” When Egyptologist Lord Carnarvon and discoverer Howard Carter decided to open the tomb in 1922, they ignored it.
The story goes that Lord Carnarvon, the team’s financial sponsor, died four months after the tomb was opened. What’s more remarkable is that he died of a mosquito bite on his cheek, and all the lights in his house mysteriously went out when he died.
Osiris “The God of Death”
Egyptologist Walter Brian Emery discovered a little statue of Osiris, the Egyptian God of Death, during an excavation near Sakkara in 1971. He and his assistant returned to the dig site’s headquarters in a nearby village at the end of the day.
Emery brought the Osiris statue with him. He then headed to the bathroom to shower when he arrived at his house. His helper began to hear Emery weeping after a few moments. He dashed over to the man and discovered him gripping the sink’s basin, apparently traumatized. Emery “stood there as if paralyzed,” according to his aide. “I took his shoulders in my hands and dragged him onto the couch. Then I dashed for the phone.” He continued.
Emery was diagnosed with right-sided paralysis and was unable to communicate. The next day, he passed away.
The Curse Of Kom Abu Billo claimed one victim each year
His aunt died one day as he was bringing items from the site Kom Abu Billo, according to renowned Egyptologist Zahi Hawass. His uncle died a year later on the same day, and his favorite cousin died a year after that.
The “Curse of the Pharaohs” had claimed these members of Hawass’ family, according to newspapers. He, on the other hand, disagrees, claiming that “fortunately, there is no such thing.”
Tombs of Saqqara
Some of the Saqqara tombs, according to experts, have colorful curses etched on the walls to keep intruders away. Last year, Egyptologist Salima Ikram of the American University in Cairo examined some animal mummies discovered at Saqqara.
In an email to Business Insider, she explained that the inscriptions in human tombs are largely meant to dissuade trespassers from desecrating the mummies’ final resting places.
Ancient Egyptian relic
An ancient Egyptian treasure was given to the German Embassy in Egypt in 2007 with a note from an anonymous sender confessing that it had cost him and his family nothing but grief and anguish since its theft.
The thief allegedly stole the artifact as a memento while in Egypt and brought it back to Germany, but he soon became ill with an unexplained ailment. He developed a fever, and his disease progressed to paralysis and death.
The thief’s stepson sent the relic back because he feared that until it was returned to Egypt, his family and his stepfather’s soul would suffer.
These mummies double like ghosts
In his book Traite des Embaumemens, published in 1699, Louis Penicher described a mummy’s curse. He told the account of a Polish man who bought two mummies from Alexandria with the intention of studying them for therapeutic purposes.
The story goes he began to be haunted by two ghosts who appeared on the boat as he sailed back across the Mediterranean Sea. The man acted swiftly, tossing the mummies into the water. As soon as the bodies were swallowed by the sea, his visions of spectral entities came to an end.
A mummy might have sunk the ‘Titanic’
It may or may not be true, but it’s still a fascinating story. It began as a ghost story, with sounds emanating from a mummy’s wooden coffin in one of Britain’s museums late at night. When one of the museum guards inexplicably died, they planned to take the coffin to the United States and dispose of it on the Titanic. The rest of the story is a matter of fact.
The thief allegedly stole the artifact as a memento while in Egypt and brought it back to Germany, but he soon became ill with an unexplained ailment. He developed a fever, and his disease progressed to paralysis and death.
They argue that the deaths and misfortunes surrounding the opening of King Tutankhamun's tomb can be explained by scientific and medical factors, rather than supernatural forces. Regardless of its validity, the curse of the ancient Egyptians continues to intrigue and captivate people's minds. It serves as a reminder of the power and mystery associated with ancient civilizations and their burial practices. The curse also highlights the human fascination with the unknown and the forces that may lie beyond our understanding. In conclusion, the curse of the ancient Egyptians is a popular legend surrounding the tombs and artifacts of Egyptian pharaohs. While some believe in the curse's power, others dismiss it as mere superstition. Nevertheless, the curse continues to capture the fascination and imagination of people worldwide, serving as a reminder of the mysteries that lie within ancient civilizations..
Reviews for "The Curse of Cleopatra: Tales of Ancient Egyptian Intrigue and Tragedy"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I found "The Curse of the Ancient Egyptians" to be a disappointing read. The storyline was weak and predictable, and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. The pacing was also an issue for me, as it felt too slow and dragged on in certain parts. Overall, I was expecting a thrilling adventure, but instead, I was left feeling underwhelmed.
2. Mark - 1 star - I couldn't finish "The Curse of the Ancient Egyptians" as I found it incredibly boring and unengaging. The plot lacked originality and failed to capture my interest from the beginning. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth, making it hard to care about their fates. Additionally, the writing style felt amateurish and lacked polish. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting and well-written adventure.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - "The Curse of the Ancient Egyptians" was a letdown for me. The premise seemed promising, but it fell short in execution. The writing was dull, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The characters lacked development, and I had difficulty connecting with them or caring about their journey. The pacing was inconsistent, with slow parts that made the already weak plot even more tedious. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it.
4. Michael - 1 star - "The Curse of the Ancient Egyptians" was a complete waste of time. The story had potential, but it was poorly executed. The plot felt disjointed and lacked coherence, making it hard to follow along. The characters were uninteresting and lacked depth or growth throughout the book. Furthermore, the editing was subpar, with numerous grammatical errors and inconsistencies. I regret picking up this book and would advise others to avoid it.