Is King Tut's Tomb Really Cursed?

The Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh's Curse

Nov 24, 2009 Janis Masyk-Jackson

After King Tut's tomb was discovered, mysterious deaths occurred. Was this the work of a curse involving the Egyptian pharaoh's tomb?

After a five-year search, the tomb of King Tutankhamun was finally discovered in Egypt's Valley of the Kings in 1922 by Howard Carter. The tomb was filled with riches beyond belief, but, that wasn't the only thing the tomb had. According to newspapers, King Tut's tomb also contained a curse.

The Curse of King Tut's Tomb

In 1923, newspapers all over the world reported of an inscription found in King Tut's tomb. They stated the inscription read, "Death shall come on swift wings to him who disturbs the peace of the king."

This inscription, along with some deaths that occurred following the opening of the tomb, led to the belief that the tomb was cursed. In reality, this inscription never existed.

Deaths from King Tut's Tomb

Lord Carnarvon, Carter's financial backer, was the first person to enter the tomb. In the beginning of 1923 he was bit by a mosquito. He later aggravated the bite when he cut it while shaving. The bite became infected and he died of blood poisoning. However, his death didn't occur until almost five months after the tomb was opened.

It is rumored that Howard Carter's canary was eaten by a cobra on the day the tomb was opened and this death is blamed on the curse because King Tut's mask bore a cobra. Whether his canary died on that day or not is still unknown.

What Could Have Caused Deaths at King Tut's Tomb?

Not only was there a kind of pink dust found in King Tut's tomb, but, black fungus existed on the walls as well. It is generally believed that germs caused medical problems for those who initially entered the tomb. Germs that were sealed in the tomb could have very well become lethal by the time it was opened.

What Happened to the People Who Opened King Tut's Tomb?

Although many people believe that just about everyone on the expedition died due to a curse, the reality is that most of twenty-five westerners who entered the tomb lived to be an average of seventy-years-old. In addition, Howard Carter lived until 1939.

Although it may be easy to blame a few deaths that occurred after the opening of King Tut's tomb on a curse, the truth is, there was never any curse. This was only a fabricated story. In addition, there is no kind of scientific evidence to support that real curses even exist.

Readers may also enjoy Am I Cursed?

Sources:

Mummies, Sylvia Funston, (Greey de Pencier Book Inc.,) 2000.
Mummies The Newest, Coolest & Creepiest From Around The World, Shelly Tanaka, (Harry N. Abrams Incorporated,) 2003.
Mummy, James Putman, (Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Inc.,) 2003.

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