The origins of Ancient Egyptian 'Mummy's Curse'

The concept of a "mummy's curse" predates the discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb. The intrigue began shortly after the tomb was discovered in 1922. George Herbert, the fifth Earl of Carnarvon, who funded the excavation, fell ill and soon died. Speculation regarding a "mummy's curse" arose promptly.

Headlines reflected this growing sentiment; the March 21, 1923, issue of The Courier Journal boldly declared, "Pharaoh's 3,000 Year-Old Curse is Seen in Illness of Carnarvons." News stories filled the media as details of Carnarvon's death surfaced. He suffered from an infection caused by a mosquito bite and a subsequent shaving accident. Importantly, while Carnarvon died, his wife, Almina Herbert, suffered but later recovered until her death at 93 in 1969.

Despite the intriguing narratives surrounding Carnarvon's death, concrete evidence supporting the concept of a king's curse remains scant. After Howard Carter discovered Tutankhamun's tomb in November 1922, Carnarvon hesitated to enter until the earl arrived from Britain. Once inside, they marveled at the extraordinary artifacts. Yet, no inscriptions regarding curses were found within the tomb.

While some have taken the "curse" seriously, researchers have diligently studied it. Scientific investigations sought to evaluate if a lethal pathogen could cause the perceived curse. Mathematical modeling explored how effectively pathogens might survive within a tomb. Sylvain Gandon from Pierre and Marie Curie University discussed such possibilities in a 1998 article, suggesting Carnarvon’s mysterious death could relate to a virulent pathogen.

More recent findings, however, contradict earlier theories. According to a 2013 study published in International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, researchers noted that the organism responsible for brown spots in the tomb "is not active." Meanwhile, Mark Nelson's research, published in the British Medical Journal in 2002, found no significant evidence suggesting shorter lifespans among those entering the tomb. On average, these individuals reached 70 years, a number that did not appear particularly low in the early to mid-20th century.

Origins of the Curse

The narrative surrounding the curse can be traced back to before the tomb was discovered. Jasmine Day, an Egyptologist, notes that the curse legend evolved throughout the mid-19th century, influenced by literature, films, and later, the internet. Day's findings uncovered early American fiction depicting male adventurers robbing mummies and then meeting dreadful fates. This motif often metaphorically critiqued the colonial exploitation of Egypt’s heritage.

Agreement exists among scholars regarding the established connection between curses and mummies before 1922. Ronald Fritze remarked that Egypt had fascinated Western cultures since Greco-Roman times, fuelled by tales of mysterious supernatural beliefs. Fritze emphasized past Western intrigue over Egyptian artifacts, often tragic as wealthy patrons purchased and exhibited mummies as throbbing entertainment.

As Egypt became more accessible in Western culture, fiction depicting mummies with curses burgeoned, leading to its normalization. Bram Stoker’s The Jewel of the Seven Stars, published in 1903, is one key example that showcased modern archaeologists facing curses after mummy events.

Film adaptations further propagated the notion of mummy curses. Eleanor Dobson explained that centuries of supernatural lore prepared audiences to interpret Egyptian finds through this Gothic lens. Additionally, myths spread after the Titanic sank; belief moved around a mummy of a priestess believed responsible.

The Curse Explodes

The widespread publication of exclusive stories surrounding Tutankhamun's tomb greatly influenced perceptions of the curse. Reports insisted various media outlets expressed outrage at excluded discoveries. Arthur Weigall, a competing journalist, escalated speculation by insinuating the curse's role in Carnarvon's death, despite reportedly doubting it himself.

The appeal of such sensational stories captivated many eager to believe in the idea of curses, particularly in the shadow of World War I's horrors. Notably, even respected figures, such as Arthur Conan Doyle, added credence to the myth, suggesting protective spirits may have harmed the earl.

Carter collaborated with Percy White in 1923 to write a fictional brief depicting the demise of his canary. Engaging broadly in curse discourse backfired on Carter as numerous falsities about Tutankhamun's tomb proliferated in the media.

Modern Perspectives on the Curse

The allure of linking curses to archaeological findings persists today. In 2018, discoveries of a 2,000-year-old sarcophagus in Alexandria incited fears of unleashed curses. Likewise, during the Suez Canal blockage in 2021, some speculated connections to moving pharaoh mummies.

Fritze commented on humanity’s perpetual search for meaning amidst chaos. While religion traditionally satisfied this need, many sought to rationalize existence through curses and supernatural beliefs. This inclination endures, reflecting humanity's complex relationship with the past's enigmatic legacies.

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