Results: Curse of the pharaohs

The curse of the pharaohs refers to an alleged curse believed by some to be cast upon any person who disturbs the mummy of an Ancient Egyptian person, especially a pharaoh. This curse, which does not differentiate between thieves and archaeologists, allegedly can cause bad luck, illness or death. Are you familiar with the pharaohs curse?

Since the mid-20th century, many authors and documentaries have argued that the curse is 'real' in the sense of being caused by scientifically explicable causes such as bacteria or radiation. However, the modern origins of Egyptian mummy curse tales, their development primarily in European cultures, the shift from magic to science to explain curses, and their changing uses. From condemning disturbance of the dead to entertaining horror film audiences suggest that Egyptian curses are primarily a cultural, not exclusively scientific, phenomenon (image: King tut's tomb seal). Do you think these curses are real or fake?

Modern Accounts: Hieroglyphs were not deciphered until the beginning of the 19th century by Jean-François Champollion, so reports of curses prior to this are simply perceived bad luck associated with the handling of mummies and other artifacts from tombs (image: Jean-François Champollion hieroglyphs book). Do you think these curses are simply just bad luck in regards of not properly handling the mummies and old artifacts?

Opening of King Tutankhamun's Tomb: The belief in a curse was brought to many people's attention due to the sometimes mysterious deaths of a few members of Howard Carter's team and other prominent visitors to the tomb shortly thereafter. Carter's team opened the tomb of Tutankhamun(KV62) in 1922, launching the modern era of Egyptology (image: King Tut's tomb). Are you familiar with who King Tutankhamun is?

Deaths popularly attributed to Tutankhamun's "curse" (image: of Lord Carnarvon). The tomb was opened on November 29, 1922. Tutankhamun's curse, which deaths are you familiar with?