The curse of the mummies is a popular myth that has captured the imagination of people around the world. The story of the curse began with the discovery of the tomb of King Tutankhamun in the early 20th century. As archaeologists uncovered the treasures and mummified remains of the young pharaoh, rumors of a curse started to spread. According to the myth, anyone who disturbed the pharaoh's tomb would be cursed with bad luck, illness, or even death. This notion was fueled by the mysterious deaths of several people involved in the excavation and study of King Tut's tomb. These deaths were often attributed to the curse, although more scientific explanations have since been proposed.
We know that Viking culture had sacred spaces to worship their gods because they are mentioned in the surviving sagas and sources. But very little specific detail survives.
One of the important elements is that it is a delineated and protected space, like Asgard and Midgard, rather than a chaotic space, like Jotunheim and Vanaheim. One such stave church, from Heddal in Norway, seems to be specifically linked with the old religion through its foundation story, which closely matches the story of the building of the walls of Asgard.
These deaths were often attributed to the curse, although more scientific explanations have since been proposed. The curse of the mummies taps into our fascination with the supernatural and the unknown. It speaks to our fear of disturbing the resting places of the dead and the repercussions it may have.
1,200-year-old pagan temple to Thor and Odin unearthed in Norway
The god house (shown here in a digital reconstruction) was strongly built of beams and walls of wood; some lasted for hundreds of years. It included a central tower, patterned on Christian churches seen in lands further south. (Image credit: University Museum of Bergen)
The remains of a 1,200-year-old pagan temple to the Old Norse gods such as Thor and Odin have been discovered in Norway — a rare relic of the Viking religion built a few centuries before Christianity became dominant there.
Archaeologists say the large wooden building — about 45 feet (14 meters) long, 26 feet (8 m) wide, and up to 40 feet (12 m) high — is thought to date from the end of the eighth century and was used for worship and sacrifices to gods during the midsummer and midwinter solstices.
Old Norse culture was famous and feared by some a century later, after bands of Norse sailors and warriors known as the Vikings started trading, raiding and colonizing throughout Europe and into Iceland, Greenland and Canada.
This is the first Old Norse temple found in the country, said archaeologist Søren Diinhoff of the University Museum of Bergen.
"This is the first time we've found one of these very special, very beautiful buildings," Diinhoff told Live Science. "We know them from Sweden and we know them from Denmark. … This shows that they also existed in Norway."
The Norse began building these large "god houses," as they're called, in the sixth century. The god houses were much more complex than the simple sites, often outdoors, that the people previously used to worship the Old Norse gods.
"It is a stronger expression of belief than all the small cult places," he said. "This is probably something to do with a certain class of the society, who built these as a real ideological show."
Image 1 of 6The god house was the religious link between local people and the Old Norse gods. The gods were said to live in the realm of Asgard, which was connected to the earthly realm Midgard by a "rainbow bridge" called Bifröst. (Image credit: University Museum of Bergen)
The remains of the ancient god house were found at Ose, a seaside village near the town of Ørsta in western Norway, on land earmarked for a housing development. (Image credit: University Museum of Bergen)
Excavations at the site revealed the remains of two longhouses – probably family farms – from more than 2000 years ago, before the god house was built at the end of the eighth century A.D. (Image credit: University Museum of Bergen)
The Old Norse "god house" was built from wood about 1200 years ago to worship gods like Odin, Thor, and Freyr. Post-holes that show its distinctive shape, including its central tower, have been unearthed at the site. (Image credit: University Museum of Bergen)
The interior of the god house (shown here in a digital reconstruction) at Ose may have been lit by hearths for sacrificial fires and had wooden statues of the Old Norse gods, such as the war god Odin, the storm god Thor, and the fertility god Freyr. (Image credit: University Museum of Bergen)
The site is beside the coast among mountains and inlets, about 150 miles south-west of the modern city of Trondheim. Boathouses would have been built along the shore in ancient times. (Image credit: University Museum of Bergen)
The myth has been further popularized by books, movies, and television shows, perpetuating the idea that ancient curses have tangible and malevolent effects. However, it's important to note that the curse of the mummies is largely a legend and there is little scientific evidence to support its existence. Many of the deaths attributed to the curse can be explained by natural causes or the hazardous conditions of the time. Additionally, most archaeologists and Egyptologists dismiss the idea of curses as mere superstition. Nevertheless, the curse continues to capture our imagination and remains firmly embedded in popular culture. It serves as a cautionary tale against disturbing the resting places of the dead and reminds us of the power of belief and myth in shaping our perceptions of history. The curse of the mummies, although not rooted in reality, remains a fascinating and enduring legend..
Reviews for "The Enigmatic Mayans: Their Curse and Legacy."
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "Curse of the Mayans" as I love archaeological thrillers. However, I was deeply disappointed with this book. The plot was predictable and lacked originality. The characters were one-dimensional and felt cliché. There was a lack of depth and the writing style was not engaging. Overall, the book fell flat for me and I cannot recommend it to other readers who enjoy this genre.
2. John - 1 star - "Curse of the Mayans" was a complete letdown for me. The story started off promisingly enough but quickly devolved into a mess of unrealistic scenarios and implausible events. The characters were poorly developed and lacked any real depth. The dialogue was forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the story. Additionally, the pacing was uneven, with moments of sheer boredom followed by rushed action scenes. I struggled to finish this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Emily - 3 stars - While I didn't hate "Curse of the Mayans," I found it to be a mediocre read. The premise had potential, but the execution left much to be desired. The pacing was inconsistent, with long periods of slow development and then sudden bursts of action. The characterization was superficial, and I found it difficult to connect with the main characters. The writing style was also unremarkable, lacking any real flair or originality. Overall, this book didn't leave a lasting impression on me, and I wouldn't actively recommend it.