The Pharaohs’ Curse

Is the Curse of King Tut Real?

King Tutankhamun has considered one of the most important rulers of ancient Egypt of the eighteenth dynasty and the discovery of his tomb was a very important incident to give a glimpse into the life and death of an Egyptian pharaoh like Tutankhamun. His tomb has always been surrounded with chambers, which contained untold wonders and secrets of ancient Egypt. The mask of Tutankhamun is placed now at the Egyptian Museum. It attracts tourists from all around the world because of its history and beauty, there is a curse, which started with the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb as the explorers and archaeologists who entered the tomb began dying untimely and unexplained deaths.

The financier of the expedition, George Herbert, died a few months after a mosquito bite became infected immediately after the discovery of the first step leading down to the tomb on 4 November 1922. Another one called George Gould died after having a fever a month later. About 11 deaths of individuals related to the discovery of Tut’s tomb within the first 10 years of its discovery.

How Did Howard Carter Die?

The archeologist and Egyptologist Howard Carter died at the age of 64 because of some complications from Hodgkin’s Disease. His final years were spent in bitterness, having been beaten down by constant squabbles with government officials. He felt that his discovery was overshadowed by the public’s obsession with the idea of the Pharaoh’s curse. So can we say is it the real curse of the Pharaoh?

We have to think very carefully whether all those people died from the curse or from the exposure to toxic fungi as the real reason of death was actually pneumonia supervening. After some research and particular studies, facts have been revealed that some ancient mummies carry mold with two dangerous species including Aspergillus Niger and Aspergillus Flavus, which can cause allergic reactions.

Those reactions start from congestion and may end with bleeding in the lungs. Those toxins are very harmful to those who have weakened immune systems. That is not all as some walls of different tombs can be covered with respiratory- assaulting bacteria like Staphylococcus. Inside sealed sarcophagi, some scientists have detected formaldehyde, ammonia gas, and hydrogen sulfide, which cause burning in the eyes & nose and they may even cause death.

Only eight out of the 58 people who opened the tomb died but the others were still alive. Lady Evelyn Herbert, Lord Carnarvon’s daughter was the last survivors of this curse although she was among the first people who entered to discover the tomb. She lived for 57 years and died in 1980.

Victims of King Tut’s Curse

The tomb was opened on 29 November 1922 and after this date, many unexplained deaths occurred just like:

1. George Herbert:  5th Earl of Carnarvon”, the financial backer of the excavation team who was present at the tomb’s opening, died on 5 April 1923, 4 months and 4 days after the opening of the tomb after a mosquito bite became infected.
2. George Jay Gould I: a visitor to the tomb, died in the French Riviera on 16 May 1923 after having a fever following his visit.
3. Prince Ali Kamel Fahmy Bey: died on 10 July 1923
4. Colonel Hon: Aubrey Herbert was the Carnarvon’s half-brother. He became nearly blind and died from blood poisoning on 26 September 1923.
5. Sir Archibald Douglas-Reid: was a radiologist, who x-rayed the mummy of Tutankhamun. He died on 15 January 1924 from a mysterious illness.
6. Sir Lee Stack: Governor-General of Sudan.
7. A. C. Mace: a member of the excavation team. He died in 1928 because of arsenic poisoning.
8. Hon. Mervyn Herbert: was the Carnarvon’s half-brother. He died on 26 May 1929, from “malarial pneumonia”.
9. Captain The Hon. Richard Bethell: was Carter’s personal secretary, died on 15 November 1929 in bed in a Mayfair club, the victim of a suspected smothering.
10. Richard Luttrell Pilkington Bethell: was the third Baron Westbury, who died on 20 February 1930.
11. Howard Carter: was the one who was responsible for opening the tomb on 16 February 1923. He died on 2 March 1939 because of some complications from Hodgkin’s disease.
    

Mysteries of Egypt Between Your Hands

No land around the world is better illustrated than ancient Egypt, the splendors of the ancient Egyptian civilization have been a source of inspiration down through the last ages. So, the best way to discover this civilization is by enjoying one of our unforgettable trips to Egypt & Nile cruises to search for the mysterious life of ancient Egyptians. Don’t miss the chance and explore the charming historic sites which are among the world’s greatest tourist attractions with us: