The Curse of Treasures is a concept that has been prevalent in folklore and mythology throughout history. It is believed that treasures, especially those obtained through theft or illegal means, come with a curse that brings misfortune and tragedy to its possessors. This curse is believed to be a way for the universe or higher powers to punish those who seek to gain wealth at the expense of others. Throughout literature and legends, there are numerous examples of cursed treasures and the tragedies that befall those who possess them. One of the most well-known stories is that of King Midas and the Golden Touch. According to the legend, King Midas was granted a wish where everything he touched would turn to gold.
According to the legend, King Midas was granted a wish where everything he touched would turn to gold. However, this blessing soon turned into a curse as it prevented him from enjoying the simple pleasures of life, including food and human touch. In the end, his greed for gold caused his own daughter's transformation into a golden statue.
Curse of treasures
Duration: 10 x 60'
With the help of archaeologists and scientists, this series looks to uncover the truth behind the deadly curses bestowed on the finders of some of the world’s most fascinating treasures… shining a light on Ancient History and playing into people’s thirst for conspiracy theories.
“They are amongst the greatest treasures known to humankind. Revered and feared for centuries. But many of them have a dark history. Their creators possessed of madness and misery. Their finders and holders struck by illness, death and misfortune. Dare you discover the secrets of the cursed treasures?”
In this thrilling ten part series we travel the world in search of some of the most famous treasures in history. From Tutankhamun to The Terracotta Army; from the Hope Diamond to the Amber Room. All are objects that have mesmerised and terrorised those who have pursued them and viewed them.
Each episode reveals the deadly provenance behind four notorious artefacts. The stories featured are told through interviews with some of the world’s leading experts in their field, who try to unravel the mystery behind these fascinating, doomed objects: the storytelling complimented by cutting-edge CGI, drama reconstruction and an Aladdin’s cave of archive.
Cursed Treasures takes the viewer on a journey into the dark heart of those priceless objects that often come with the ultimate price tag: human life itself.
EPISODE 1: In this episode, the hunt takes us to ancient Egypt, medieval Britain, North America during the cretaceous period and the Northwest Passage at the time of Arctic exploration, where we uncover the origins of the curses surrounding King Tutankhamun, the Stone of Destiny, Sue T-Rex and Landseer's Man Proposes, God Disposes.
EPISODE 2: In this episode, the hunt takes us to Anglo-Saxon England, medieval Europe, China under its first Emperor and Egypt when the Pharaohs still ruled, where we uncover the origins of the curses surrounding the Staffordshire Hoard, Black Prince’s Ruby, Terracotta Army and iconic Bust of Nefertiti.
EPISODE 3: In this episode, the hunt takes us to an Anglo-Saxon burial ground, the caves in the Judean Desert, a small town in the Netherlands and Siberia in the ice age, where we uncover the origins of the curses surrounding Sutton Hoo, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Van Gogh’s Congregation Leaving the Reformed Church in Neunen and Lyuba.
EPISODE 4: In this episode, the hunt takes us to France at the time of the Knights Templar, recent times in a northern English city, 17th Century India and pre-historic Spain where we uncover the origins of the curses surrounding the Turin Shroud, Manchester's Moving Statue, Hope Diamond and the Cave Paintings of Altamira.
EPISODE 5: In this episode, the hunt takes us to the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis, rural Spain in the 1800’s, Russia during World War 2 and Latin America at the time of the Inca's where we uncover the origins of the curses surrounding Sutton Hoo, the Rosetta Stone, Goya’s Black Paintings, the Amber Room and the Children of Llullaillaco.
EPISODE 6: In this episode, the hunt takes us to India at the time of the Mughal Empire, Los Angeles in the 1950’s, Britain during the Wars of the Roses and the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh, where we uncover the origins of the curses surrounding the Koh-i-Noor, James Dean’s Spyder, King Richard III and the Neo-Assyrian Stele.
EPISODE 7: In this episode, the hunt takes us to an ancient Roman city, Nazi Germany, the Alps during the copper age and mid-west America in the cretaceous period, where we uncover the origins of the curses surrounding Pompeii, the Gurlitt Collection, Ötzi the Iceman and Stan T-Rex.
EPISODE 8: In this episode, the hunt takes us to revolutionary Russia, ancient Egypt, a remote Island in Polynesia and a picturesque village in France, where we uncover the origins of the curses surrounding the Fabergé Eggs, the Unlucky Mummy, the Easter Island Moai and Van Gogh’s Tree Roots.
EPISODE 9: In this episode, the hunt takes us to an ancient monument in Greece, a kingdom in Africa, a death bed in Norway and a hidden tomb in Turkey, where we uncover the origins of the curses surrounding the Benin Bronzes, Elgin Marbles, Munch’s Sick Child and the Karun Treasure.
EPISODE 10: In this episode, the hunt takes us to an iron age bog, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Britain in the early Middle Ages and the Utah desert, where we uncover the origins of the curses surrounding Lindow Man, Franz Ferdinand’s Car, The Viking Hoard and The Conqueror.
In the film Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), the treasure was blood-money paid as ransom to the genocidal Spanish colonist Hérnan Cortez as payment to leave Central American tribes in peace. One particular treasure handed over was a stone chest of 882 identical gold Aztec medallions which were cursed by the Aztec gods to curse whomever stole them to be undead and incapable of material sensations while revealed to be a hideous corpse in the moon-light. The only way to appease this curse was for the blood of all who participated in stealing the gold to be poured over the chest.
Another famous cursed treasure is the Hope Diamond. This legendary blue diamond is said to have brought misfortune and tragedy to all its owners. Many believe that the curse started with the diamond being stolen from the eye of a Hindu goddess statue. The diamond changed hands numerous times, and each owner experienced tragic events such as bankruptcy, illness, and even suicide. It is said that the only way to break the curse is to donate the diamond to a museum. The Curse of Treasures is often used as a cautionary tale, warning against the dangers of greed and materialism. It serves as a reminder that wealth and possessions should not be obtained at the expense of others or through illegal means. The curse is believed to be a form of karma or divine justice, ensuring that those who do not respect the rightful ownership of treasures suffer the consequences. In reality, cursed treasures are often attributed to strange coincidences and unfortunate events that befall their owners. These tales are often exaggerated and embellished over time, making it hard to determine the truth behind the curses. However, the concept of the Curse of Treasures continues to capture the imagination and serves as a reminder of the consequences of unethical behavior and the importance of valuing more than material wealth..
Reviews for "The Curse of the Ark of the Covenant: Divine Retribution or Myth?"
- Karen Smith - 1 star
This book was a huge disappointment. The plot was incredibly predictable and the writing style was dull. I couldn't connect with any of the characters and found myself forcing to finish the book. Overall, I wouldn't recommend "Curse of treasures" to anyone looking for an exciting and engaging read.
- John Johnson - 2 stars
I was really looking forward to reading "Curse of treasures" but it fell short of my expectations. The story seemed to drag on without any major plot twists or surprises. The characters were underdeveloped and the dialogue felt forced. I found it hard to stay interested in the book and ended up skimming through the last few chapters.
- Sarah Thompson - 2 stars
I'm usually a fan of adventure novels, but "Curse of treasures" didn't quite hit the mark for me. The pacing was off, with too much time spent on insignificant details rather than moving the story forward. The main character lacked depth and the secondary characters felt like cardboard cutouts. The premise of the book was intriguing, but the execution was lacking. Overall, a disappointing read.