The pharaohs' curse is a popular belief that ancient Egyptian rulers, known as pharaohs, have placed curses on their tombs to protect their treasures from theft. According to the legend, anyone who disturbs the tomb or removes any artifacts will be cursed and face misfortune or even death. The curse gained significant attention during the early 20th century when several prominent archaeologists and researchers died mysteriously after discovering and entering pharaohs' tombs. One of the most well-known examples is the supposed curse of the tomb of Tutankhamun, also known as King Tut, who died at a young age. When British archaeologist Howard Carter and his team opened the tomb in 1922, there were rumors of a curse associated with it. Soon after the tomb's opening, Lord Carnarvon, the financier of the excavation, died unexpectedly.
Herodotus
1954
The Histories. Tr. Aubrey de Selincourt. Reprint. Baltimore: Penguin Books, 1965.
Unfortunately, there may well have been a bit of truth to these stories, and some authors claim that a few artifacts now in the collections of museums outside Egypt may have originated in Tut s tomb. On the 4 th of November in 1922, an expedition sponsored by Lord Carnarvon led by archaeologist Howard Carter and his team were able to find the resting place of Pharaoh Tutankhamun.
Soon after the tomb's opening, Lord Carnarvon, the financier of the excavation, died unexpectedly. His death, as well as the deaths of several others involved with the excavation, fueled speculation about the curse. Many attributed these deaths to the wrath of the pharaohs.
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.
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The result of a deadly ancient curse, or a circumstantial coincidence? That's for you to decide.
However, it is important to note that these incidents can be easily explained by more rational causes. For example, Lord Carnarvon's death was likely due to a mosquito bite that became infected, leading to blood poisoning. The deaths of others involved in the excavation can be traced back to natural causes or pre-existing health conditions. Furthermore, the idea of a pharaoh's curse is not supported by scientific evidence or historical facts. The ancient Egyptians did believe in curses and took measures to protect their tombs, but these measures were physical, such as traps and hidden compartments, rather than supernatural. Additionally, researchers have entered and studied numerous pharaohs' tombs without facing any curse or misfortune. The legend of the pharaohs' curse has been perpetuated by popular culture and media, which often portray it as a mysterious and dangerous phenomenon. Movies, books, and documentaries have contributed to the fascination and perpetuation of this belief, despite its lack of evidence. In conclusion, the pharaohs' curse is a popular belief associated with ancient Egyptian tombs and the idea that disturbing them brings misfortune or death. However, there is no scientific evidence or historical basis to support this belief. The deaths and incidents associated with the supposed curse can be explained by natural causes..
Reviews for "Pharaohs and Phantoms: The Mythology of the Curse"
1. Jessica - 2/5 stars: "I was really looking forward to reading 'The Pharaoh's Curse' as I love adventure novels set in Egypt. However, I was disappointed with this book. The plot was confusing and the characters felt underdeveloped. I found it hard to connect with any of them and was left feeling unsatisfied. Additionally, the pacing was off, with long periods of slow storytelling followed by rushed and unrealistic action scenes. Overall, 'The Pharaoh's Curse' did not live up to my expectations and I would not recommend it."
2. Mike - 3/5 stars: "I thought 'The Pharaoh's Curse' would be a thrilling and mysterious read, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. While the concept was intriguing, the execution lacked depth. The writing style was average, and I didn't feel invested in the story or the characters. The plot twists were predictable, and the resolution felt rushed. While it may be an entertaining read for some, I personally did not find it to be captivating enough."
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars: "I was excited to dive into 'The Pharaoh's Curse' after reading the promising synopsis, but I quickly realized it was not the book for me. The pacing was slow, and the story dragged on without much excitement. The dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, and the character development was lacking. The author seemed to rely heavily on cliches and tropes, making the plot predictable. I was left underwhelmed and unengaged with the overall reading experience."
4. Richard - 1/5 stars: "I have to admit, I couldn't even finish 'The Pharaoh's Curse'. The writing was disjointed, and the characters were one-dimensional. The storyline was hard to follow and lacked a clear direction. It felt like a jumbled mess of ideas that never came together cohesively. The dialogue was stilted, and the pacing was off. I was highly disappointed by this book and would not recommend it to anyone."