The ominous curse of the embalmed pharaoh has gripped the imaginations of people around the world for centuries. This ancient belief, rooted in the cultural and religious practices of ancient Egypt, suggests that disturbing the tomb of a pharaoh would unleash a curse upon those who dared to disturb their final resting place. The concept of a curse associated with a pharaoh’s tomb stems from the deep reverence and fear that ancient Egyptians had for their rulers. The pharaoh was not only a political leader but also a divine figure, believed to be an incarnation of the god Horus. To ensure their immortality in the afterlife, pharaohs went through a meticulous process of embalming and burial. The tombs themselves were grand and filled with treasures, designed to accompany the pharaohs in their journey to the afterlife.
While the media missed out on this particular episode, they did have a field day when Lord Carnarvon died on May 6, 1923—less than a year after the discovery of the tomb. There were all sorts of versions of the specific “curse” to which Carnarvon’s death could be attributed, but most tried to relate it to an inscription of warning in the tomb. Some of the reporters had the aid of disgruntled Egyptologists, who had not only been denied access to the tomb, but also any information about it. Since there was no love lost between Carter and Carnarvon and some of their scholarly colleagues, there was always someone who was willing to provide information about certain objects or inscriptions in the tomb, based solely on published photographs. In this manner, many inscriptions could be construed as curses by the public, especially after a “re-translation” by the press. For example, an innocuous text inscribed on mud plaster before the Anubis shrine in the Treasury stated: “I am the one who prevents the sand from blocking the secret chamber,” In the newspaper, it metamorphized into: “…I will kill all of those who cross this threshold into the sacred precincts of the royal king who lives forever.”
In the case of the articles written during the latest King Tut exhibit, I venture to say that most if not all references to the curse derived from ignorance and a desire for a catchy headline not necessarily in that order. There were many dozens of people connected in some way to opening Tutankhamun s tomb ranging from security guards to archaeologists , and out of that many people some unexpected deaths would be expected by random chance.
The tombs themselves were grand and filled with treasures, designed to accompany the pharaohs in their journey to the afterlife. It is believed that curses were inscribed on the tombs to protect them from tomb robbers who were after the valuable treasures. These curses were invoked to punish anyone who disturbed the tomb and its contents, with potential consequences ranging from illness, bad luck, or even death.
The Curse of the Curse of the Pharaohs
“Cursed be those that disturb the rest of Pharaoh. They that shall break the seal of this tomb shall meet death by a disease which no doctor can diagnose.” (Inscription reported to have been carved on an Egyptian royal tomb)
Top of the lid of an unlaid wooden chest, picturing Tutankhamun and his wife Ankhesenamun. (The Metropolitan Museum of Art; photograph by Harry Burton)
Throughout the centuries, ancient Egypt and its civilization have often been referred to in terms of the dark and mysterious. Encounters with its strange customs have frequently led people, both ancient and modern, to have misconceptions about this land. The Greeks acknowledged that much ancient wisdom, such as the basics of mathematics, architecture, art, science, medicine, and even philosophy, ultimately derived from the Egyptians; but they still had some difficulty in understanding, accepting, or even dealing with the alien and unfamiliar aspects of the religion. Greek historians often wrote about the mysterious ways in which the Egyptians worshipped their deities, such as this note by Herodotus: “There are not a great many wild animals in Egypt…Such as there are—both wild and tame—are without exception held to be sacred” (II, 65). He also wrote a disclaimer: “I am not anxious to repeat what I was told about the Egyptian religion. . . for I do not think that any one nation knows much more about such things than any other” (II, 4). Of course he then goes on to state: “[The Egyptians] are religious to excess” (II, 35-39).
Egypt was different from much of the rest of the ancient world, with its pantheon of fantastic deities, part animal, part human; its rulers who were understood to be gods on earth; its bizarre funerary practices that paid unheard of attention to the preparations for an afterlife; and its enigmatic script that was written with recognizable pictures, but remained unreadable and therefore mysterious to the uninitiated. As a result, Egypt managed to inspire both awe and fear in the foreigner who came into contact with its culture.
Today, the products of Egyptian civilization that have survived the passage of more than 3000 years provide a visible monument to its advanced state. Such accomplishments, however, often evoke suspicion rather than respect. Thus there are people who prefer to believe that Egyptian building techniques, literature, art, and mathematics derived from an alien culture from outer space, rather than to accept the documented evidence of their earthly origin. This and other equally inaccurate theories are espoused by people fondly referred to by Egyptologists as “pyramidiots.” But while some modern ideas about ancient Egypt are based on a mixture of misguided awe and respect, others appear to have originated under less innocent circumstances. One of the most persistent examples of the latter type is the so-called curse of the pharaohs.
Tutankhamun’s tomb (lower center) was situated below the entrance to the tomb of Ramesses VI (center) in the Valley of the Kings. (The Metropolitan Museum of Art; photograph by Harry Burton)
The most famous example of the curse associated with an embalmed pharaoh is the Curse of the Pharaohs, which is said to have afflicted the expedition that discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922. Lord Carnarvon, who financed the excavation, died shortly after the tomb was opened, leading to rumors of a curse. Other members of the expedition also experienced misfortunes, such as illness and accidents. However, there is skepticism surrounding the concept of the curse. Some argue that the alleged curse is simply a combination of coincidence, suggestion, and media sensationalism. They point out that many people involved in the excavation of Tutankhamun's tomb did not experience any misfortunes. Regardless of the validity of the curse, the idea has captivated the public's imagination and continues to be a popular subject in books, movies, and documentaries. It has become entrenched in popular culture as a symbol of mystery, danger, and the supernatural. In conclusion, the ominous curse of the embalmed pharaoh is a fascinating aspect of ancient Egyptian culture and mythology. Whether it is based on actual supernatural forces or simply a product of human imagination, the concept continues to capture our imagination and adds an aura of mystery to the exploration of ancient tombs..
Reviews for "The Dark Forces Behind the Curse of the Embalmed Pharaohs"
1. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "The ominous curse of the embalmed pharaoh." The plot was confusing and poorly developed, leaving me feeling lost and uninterested throughout the entire book. The characters lacked depth and their actions felt unrealistic. Additionally, the writing style was bland and uninspiring, making it difficult for me to engage with the story. Overall, I found this book to be a complete letdown and would not recommend it to anyone seeking an exciting and well-crafted adventure.
2. Robert - 2/5 stars - "The ominous curse of the embalmed pharaoh" had potential, but it fell short in execution. The pacing was incredibly slow, with long descriptions that felt unnecessary and dragged the story along. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters on any level. Moreover, the author seemed to rely too heavily on cliches and tired tropes, making the plot predictable and unimaginative. I was hoping for an exciting and engaging read, but unfortunately, this book did not deliver.
3. Emma - 2/5 stars - I won't lie, "The ominous curse of the embalmed pharaoh" had an intriguing premise. However, the execution left much to be desired. The writing was filled with grammatical errors and awkward sentences that made it difficult to follow the story. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard to care about their fates. Additionally, the pacing was uneven, with long stretches of dull exposition followed by rushed and chaotic action scenes. Overall, this book had potential, but it needed more refinement and polish to be an enjoyable read.