In 1922, a team led by archaeologist Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun, re-igniting the worlds fascination with Egyptology.
However, It was said that many people linked to the find had died due to there being a curse on the heads of anyone who disturbed the dead king.
However, It was said that many people linked to the find had died due to there being a curse on the heads of anyone who disturbed the dead king.
Tutankhamun Found!
Tutankhamun's Mask. On the 4th of November, 1922, English archaeologist and Egyptologist Howard Carter, along with his excavation crew, uncovered steps leading to the tomb of 14th-century BC Pharaoh Tutankhamun (also “Tutankhamen”). This discovery received coverage in the media all over the globe and sparked a renewed interest and fascination into Ancient Egypt - with King Tut's, as he became to popularly be known, burial mask becoming the popular symbol.
Tutankhamun is perhaps the best known Pharaoh, as his tomb was perhaps, for its time, the best preserved. The artefacts obtained from the excavation were the most exhibited items on the planet, travelling from museum to museum, in exhibition tours, up until the present day. This discovery also launched the modern era of Egyptology - the study of language, history, literature, religion and art of ancient Egypt.
22 days later, Carter's employer Lord Carnarvon and his daughter joined the crew in the Valley of the Kings and it was then, on the 26th of November, that Carter made the breach into the tomb, uncovering an array of gold and ebony treasures. It wasn't until February that he actually glimpsed the sarcophagus of the boy prince in the actual burial chamber.
Tutankhamun is perhaps the best known Pharaoh, as his tomb was perhaps, for its time, the best preserved. The artefacts obtained from the excavation were the most exhibited items on the planet, travelling from museum to museum, in exhibition tours, up until the present day. This discovery also launched the modern era of Egyptology - the study of language, history, literature, religion and art of ancient Egypt.
22 days later, Carter's employer Lord Carnarvon and his daughter joined the crew in the Valley of the Kings and it was then, on the 26th of November, that Carter made the breach into the tomb, uncovering an array of gold and ebony treasures. It wasn't until February that he actually glimpsed the sarcophagus of the boy prince in the actual burial chamber.
The 'Curse' Strikes...
Lord Carnarvon. Shortly afterwards a number of the crew and other visitors to the tomb began to die reportedly mysterious and bizarre deaths, including Carnarvon, who is said to have been the first to be killed by "Tutankhamun's Curse", invoked by spirit guardians of the tomb.
He had been bitten by a mosquito and, whilst shaving, accidentally slashed the bite causing it to become infected which resulted in blood poisoning. Creator of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a noted Spiritualist, suggested soon after Carnarvon's death that it had been caused by "elementals" created by the Pharaohs' priests to guard the tomb and it's belongings. His statement fuelled an already overzealous media interest and frenzy about a so-called curse.
Ten deaths have been attributed to this so-called "Curse", however sceptics of the curse have cited that Carter himself died over a decade later of natural causes, as have several others involved in the original excavation team. Science now tells us that enclosed spaces such as tombs can harbour high accumulated amounts of dangerous bacteria and gases, with some of these bacteria only harmful to people with already weakened immune systems.
He had been bitten by a mosquito and, whilst shaving, accidentally slashed the bite causing it to become infected which resulted in blood poisoning. Creator of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a noted Spiritualist, suggested soon after Carnarvon's death that it had been caused by "elementals" created by the Pharaohs' priests to guard the tomb and it's belongings. His statement fuelled an already overzealous media interest and frenzy about a so-called curse.
Ten deaths have been attributed to this so-called "Curse", however sceptics of the curse have cited that Carter himself died over a decade later of natural causes, as have several others involved in the original excavation team. Science now tells us that enclosed spaces such as tombs can harbour high accumulated amounts of dangerous bacteria and gases, with some of these bacteria only harmful to people with already weakened immune systems.
Howard Carter. Since then, a number of unexplained events have supposedly occurred to people who have visited the tomb. These incidences include a British television crew among others, in which electrical equipment and objects began to act funny and not work properly. Most of the crew supposedly fell ill with mysterious diseases and ailments after arriving home.
Is there something to this Curse?
Was this just the Media at the time taking advantage of superstition, or were the deaths the work of the Pharaoh himself from beyond the grave?
Or can these "unexplained" deaths now be explained by a modern day knowledge of pathogens?
Is there something to this Curse?
Was this just the Media at the time taking advantage of superstition, or were the deaths the work of the Pharaoh himself from beyond the grave?
Or can these "unexplained" deaths now be explained by a modern day knowledge of pathogens?
Matty Sweeney 2013
Put together by Ashley Hall 2013
Put together by Ashley Hall 2013
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