The mummy's Curse
In 1922, in the Valley of the Kings at Luxor, Tutankhamun's tomb was discovered by Howard Carter. A lot of treasure was found, spurring reporters to print stories about the discovery. The treasure was what most likely interested people in the tomb, rather than the precious archaeological information. However, reporters knew the hype wouldn't last forever, so when novelist Mari Corelli published a warning about a curse on the tomb, newspapers saw a chance to make money.
The warning stated that there would be dire consequences for anyone who had actually entered the tomb. This mayy have been inspired by the death of Carter's pet canary - it was swallowed by a cobra. Cobras were the manifestations of goddess Wadjet, one of the protectors of the Pharaoh.
The man who financed Carter's dig, Lord Carnarvon, died of pneumonia in Cairo on April 5th, 1923. This was only a few weeks after Corelli's warnings. The media jumped on the story, claiming evidence of a "curse". A very popular writer of the time was Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes. He stated that Carnarvon's death could have been the result of a "Pharaoh's curse".
It was rumoured that at the moment Carnarvon died, back in England his dog howled and died at the exact same time as her owner. Another common rumour was the supposed inscription on the tomb, "They who enter this sacred tomb shall swift be visited by wings of death." Most agree now that this was invented by newspapers.
According to one list, 26 people associated with Carter died within a decade. In reality, only six people died during this time. Surely if the curse existed, Carter would have been the first to die. Instead, he lived for another 17 years, dying just before his 65th birthday, despite his 10 years working in or close to the tomb.
The warning stated that there would be dire consequences for anyone who had actually entered the tomb. This mayy have been inspired by the death of Carter's pet canary - it was swallowed by a cobra. Cobras were the manifestations of goddess Wadjet, one of the protectors of the Pharaoh.
The man who financed Carter's dig, Lord Carnarvon, died of pneumonia in Cairo on April 5th, 1923. This was only a few weeks after Corelli's warnings. The media jumped on the story, claiming evidence of a "curse". A very popular writer of the time was Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes. He stated that Carnarvon's death could have been the result of a "Pharaoh's curse".
It was rumoured that at the moment Carnarvon died, back in England his dog howled and died at the exact same time as her owner. Another common rumour was the supposed inscription on the tomb, "They who enter this sacred tomb shall swift be visited by wings of death." Most agree now that this was invented by newspapers.
According to one list, 26 people associated with Carter died within a decade. In reality, only six people died during this time. Surely if the curse existed, Carter would have been the first to die. Instead, he lived for another 17 years, dying just before his 65th birthday, despite his 10 years working in or close to the tomb.
in pop culture
The mummy's curse shows up in a lot of TV shows, movies and books. Even if the focus isn't on Tutankhamun, the idea of a mummy coming alive is present in multiple areas of pop culture, including, but not limited to, these TV shows and movies:
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Explanations
The most likely explanation for the deaths that occured over several decades, even affecting ancient grave robbers (perhaps the first victims of the "curse") is disease. Dead bodies can have infections that are very dangerous for the living. Grave robbers who entered tombs soon after the mummy's death could have picked up bacteria, died, and then were believed to have been punished for their crimes.
In 1999, which oddly enough was the year the remake of "The Mummy" was released, a microbiologist from Germany identified several potentially dangerous types of mould in mummies.
The widely spread fear of the curse was probably a major benefit to Egypt, and the field of Egyptology in general. The movies, books and TV shows have revived people's interest in the curse, and boosted Egypt's tourism industry.
Maybe even Tutankhamun would be happy he was discovered. His name will always be remembered, and his soul kept forever alive.
• http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/curse.htm
In 1999, which oddly enough was the year the remake of "The Mummy" was released, a microbiologist from Germany identified several potentially dangerous types of mould in mummies.
The widely spread fear of the curse was probably a major benefit to Egypt, and the field of Egyptology in general. The movies, books and TV shows have revived people's interest in the curse, and boosted Egypt's tourism industry.
Maybe even Tutankhamun would be happy he was discovered. His name will always be remembered, and his soul kept forever alive.
• http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/curse.htm