Why the Curse of Tutankhamun Might Be Real

Summary

In November 1922, Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun, an Egyptian pharaoh, sparking worldwide interest and rumors of a curse. Despite initial skepticism, a series of mysterious deaths following the discovery fueled these rumors. The video explores the curse's origins, suggesting media sensationalism and confirmation bias as the true culprits behind the myth. It also humorously debunks the curse, revealing that of the 58 people present at the tomb's opening, only eight died within 12 years, with Carter himself living to 64. The video concludes by contrasting this with a real 'cursed tomb' story involving a 15th-century Lithuanian king, whose tomb's deadly fungus killed several scientists.

Takeaways

• 🗝️ In November 1922, Howard Carter discovered the tomb of the little-known Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun, marking a significant moment in archaeology.
• 🌟 Tutankhamun's tomb was filled with around 5,000 priceless artifacts, including a chariot, figurines, jewelry, weapons, and the mummy itself.
• 🐍 Shortly after the discovery, rumors of a curse began to circulate, with a series of deaths among those involved with the excavation.
• 📰 The media played a role in sensationalizing the curse, with newspapers reporting on a supposed curse inscription in the tomb that was later found to be fabricated.
• 🔍 Despite the curse rumors, many of the deaths could be attributed to natural causes or coincidence, and were likely exaggerated by the press for sensationalism.
• 🧬 The curse of Tutankhamun was likely a myth, with no scientific evidence supporting the supernatural claims, unlike the real curse of Kasamir IV, which was caused by a deadly fungus.
• 🏰 The discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb was financed by Lord Carnarvon, who died shortly after the tomb's opening, but his death was due to blood poisoning from an infected mosquito bite.
• 🏺 The mummy of Tutankhamun was found with a lesion on its cheek, similar to Lord Carnarvon's mosquito bite, but this was likely a coincidence.
• 💊 Howard Carter, the discoverer of the tomb, lived to the age of 64 and died of Hodgkin's lymphoma, which further discredits the curse theory.
• 🌿 The story of the curse of Tutankhamun serves as a cautionary tale against sensationalism and the importance of critical thinking in the face of unverified claims.

Q & A

Who was Howard Carter and what is he famous for?

Howard Carter was a British archaeologist who is famous for discovering the tomb of the Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings in 1922.

What is the significance of the year 1922 in the context of the script?

In 1922, Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun, which was a monumental event in the history of archaeology and one of the greatest archaeological finds of all time.

What is the 'curse of Tutankhamun' mentioned in the script?

The 'curse of Tutankhamun' refers to the rumors and legends that arose after the discovery of the tomb, suggesting that a curse was placed on those who disturbed the Pharaoh's resting place, leading to a series of deaths among those involved.

How did Lord Carnarvon, Howard Carter's benefactor, die according to the script?

According to the script, Lord Carnarvon died from blood poisoning caused by an infection that originated from a mosquito bite on his cheek.

What was the role of the press in the spread of the 'curse' rumors?

The press played a significant role in spreading the rumors of the 'curse' by sensationalizing the deaths of those associated with the excavation and inventing a curse that was not actually present in the tomb.

What was the actual cause of the deaths associated with the Tutankhamun excavation, as per the script?

The script suggests that the deaths were due to natural causes or coincidences, and not because of a supernatural curse. Lord Carnarvon's death, for example, was attributed to his already weakened immune system due to a previous car accident.

What is the connection between the script's mention of Downton Abbey and the real-life Highclere Castle?

The script mentions that Highclere Castle, where Lord Carnarvon was the resident, was not the Downton Abbey manor house but was later used as the setting for the popular period drama series Downton Abbey.

What is the script's stance on the existence of curses in historical contexts?

The script suggests skepticism towards the existence of curses, explaining the 'curse of Tutankhamun' as a media-driven myth and providing a rational explanation for the deaths associated with the tomb's discovery.

How does the script address the idea of a curse in the context of King Kazimierz IV's tomb?

The script contrasts the myth of Tutankhamun's curse with the actual deadly fungus (aspergillus flavis) found in King Kazimierz IV's tomb, which caused the premature deaths of several scientists who entered the tomb.

What was the significance of the canary's death in the script's narrative?

The death of Howard Carter's canary, killed by a cobra, was presented as an ominous event that fueled the curse rumors, although the script later dismisses the curse as a media fabrication.

Outlines

00:00

🗝️ Discovery of Tutankhamun's Tomb

In November 1922, Howard Carter discovered the tomb of the Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun, marking a significant archaeological find. Carter became the first person to enter the tomb in over 3000 years. Despite initial skepticism, rumors of a curse began to circulate after the discovery, linked to a series of deaths among those involved. The tomb's discovery was also connected to the Earl of Carnarvon, who financed Carter's expeditions. The paragraph humorously links the discovery to the setting of the TV show 'Downton Abbey', highlighting the historical significance and the drama surrounding the event.

05:02

🐍 The Tutankhamun Curse and its Victims

Following the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb, a series of unfortunate incidents and deaths were attributed to the 'curse of the pharaohs'. The first victim was Carter's canary, killed by a cobra, eerily similar to the cobra symbol on Tutankhamun's sarcophagus. Lord Carnarvon, Carter's benefactor, died from an infection following a mosquito bite, which was later mirrored by a lesion on Tutankhamun's mummy. The paragraph details the curse's impact, including the deaths of other team members and the public's growing belief in the curse's existence.

10:05

📰 The Media and the Tutankhamun Curse

The paragraph explores how the media contributed to the curse's legend, with newspapers creating and sensationalizing the story of a curse to sell papers. It discusses Lord Carnarvon's business acumen and his exclusive contract with The Times, which led to other newspapers fabricating stories. The paragraph also touches on the deaths associated with the curse, suggesting that many were due to natural causes or coincidence, and that the curse was more a media creation than a supernatural phenomenon.

15:07

🔍 Debunking the Curse: Science and Coincidence

This paragraph delves into the scientific and rational explanations for the perceived curse. It suggests that many of the deaths were due to natural causes and that the curse was a product of confirmation bias and media hype. The paragraph also mentions a study by James Randi, which found that those supposedly affected by the curse lived for an average of 23 years after the tomb's discovery, challenging the curse's validity. It concludes by presenting an alternative 'cursed tomb' story involving a different historical figure, suggesting that real dangers can exist, even if curses do not.

20:08

✂️ The Enduring Legacy of Tutankhamun

The final paragraph acknowledges the enduring fascination with Tutankhamun's tomb and the curse传说. It also thanks the sponsor, Keeps, for their support of the video, reminding viewers of the offer available to them. This paragraph serves as a conclusion, summarizing the overall theme of the video and the historical impact of the discovery, while also providing a transition back to the present day and the video's sponsorship.

Keywords

💡Tutankhamun

Tutankhamun, also known as King Tut, was an Egyptian pharaoh of the 18th dynasty. His tomb's discovery in 1922 by Howard Carter is a central theme of the video. The script discusses the tomb's significance as one of the greatest archaeological finds in history, highlighting the wealth of artifacts and the mummy itself. The video also touches on the myth of Tutankhamun's curse, which became a sensational story in the media following the excavation.

💡Howard Carter

Howard Carter was a British archaeologist who is best known for discovering the tomb of Tutankhamun. The video script describes his role in uncovering the tomb and the subsequent rumors of a curse. Carter's name is synonymous with the discovery, and his actions are central to the narrative of the video, illustrating the historical significance of the find and the sensationalism that followed.

💡Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings is a burial site located in Egypt where, for a period of nearly 500 years, tombs were constructed for the pharaohs and powerful officials of the New Kingdom. The video mentions this location as the place where Tutankhamun's tomb was found, emphasizing its historical importance and the allure of the area for archaeologists and historians.

💡Curse of Tutankhamun

The 'Curse of Tutankhamun' refers to the alleged supernatural phenomenon following the discovery of the tomb, where several individuals associated with the excavation reportedly died under mysterious circumstances. The video script explores this myth, discussing the deaths that occurred shortly after the tomb's opening and the media's role in perpetuating the curse narrative.

💡Archaeological Finds

Archaeological finds are objects or artifacts uncovered through archaeological excavations. The video emphasizes the significance of Tutankhamun's tomb as an archaeological find, detailing the over 5,000 artifacts discovered, including a chariot, figurines, jewelry, and weapons. These finds are crucial to understanding ancient Egyptian culture and the life of the pharaoh.

💡Inbreeding

Inbreeding is the mating of closely related individuals, which can lead to an increased likelihood of genetic disorders. The video script mentions Tutankhamun's parents were siblings, suggesting that the pharaoh suffered from various physical and mental disabilities due to inbreeding. This concept is used to add a layer of intrigue to Tutankhamun's life and the potential reasons behind the curse myth.

💡Lord Carnarvon

Lord Carnarvon, the fifth Earl of Carnarvon, was the primary financial backer of Howard Carter's excavations. The video recounts his role in funding the search for Tutankhamun's tomb and his untimely death shortly after the tomb's discovery, which became a focal point in the curse mythos.

💡Media Sensationalism

Media sensationalism refers to the practice of presenting stories in a way that is intended to attract attention and increase readership or viewership, often by exaggerating or distorting the truth. The video discusses how newspapers of the time sensationalized the 'curse' following the tomb's discovery, contributing to the myth's widespread acceptance.

💡Confirmation Bias

Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs or hypotheses. The video script uses this concept to explain how the curse myth continued to gain traction, as people focused on the deaths associated with the tomb while ignoring those who lived long after the discovery.

💡Aspergillus flavus

Aspergillus flavus is a type of fungus that produces aflatoxins, which can be fatal to humans if inhaled or ingested. The video concludes with a mention of this fungus as the 'real curse' in the tomb of another historical figure, illustrating a scientific explanation for what might be mistaken for a supernatural curse.

Highlights

Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in November 1922.

Carter's discovery was one of the greatest archaeological finds in history.

The tomb was found with over 5,000 priceless artifacts, including a golden sarcophagus.

Tutankhamun was not a significant pharaoh during his time but gained fame posthumously.

Rumors of a curse began after the death of Carter's canary, killed by a cobra.

Lord Carnarvon, Carter's benefactor, died from an infection after a mosquito bite.

The curse rumors were fueled by a mark resembling a bite on Tutankhamun's mummy.

Many connected to the excavation died, but the majority lived to old age.

The curse of Tutankhamun was likely a media invention to sell newspapers.

Lord Carnarvon's health was already compromised due to a previous car accident.

The supposed curse inscriptions in the tomb were fabricated by the press.

Carter himself died of natural causes 16 years after discovering the tomb.

The actual 'curse' of Tutankhamun may have been a fungus causing illness and death.

A real cursed tomb example is that of Kasamir IV, where many scientists died after entering.

The curse of Kasamir IV was attributed to a deadly fungus, not supernatural causes.

Transcripts

hey 42 here in november 1922

howard carter came up on the final

resting place

of a little-known egyptian pharaoh known

as tooting car moon

when carter carefully removed the outer

door and stepped over the threshold

he became the first human being to do so

in well over 3 000 years

though carter didn't know it at the time

tooting car moon's tomb

was to become one of the greatest

archaeological finds

in the history of mankind right up there

with the terracotta army

the remains of pompeii and the rosetta

stone

news of the incredible discovery hit the

headlines

as the attention of the world's media

trained itself squarely on the valley of

the kings in egypt

near to what was once thebes it was the

crowning achievement of carter's career

something that would see him

immortalized amongst archaeologists

but from the moment he first stepped

inside the pharaoh's tomb

rumors began to spread that his actions

had unleashed a terrible curse

punishment from beyond the grave that

would be dished out to all of those who

had there to disturb

the long dead pharaoh plenty of people

thought it was nonsense

including carter himself but then

quite suddenly people started dying

a few months before this remarkable

moment in the history of archaeology

howard carter found himself standing in

downton abbey

well sort of the grand manor house was

actually called

high clear castle and it was home to the

fifth earl of carnarvon

rather than the seventh earl of grantham

but 88 years later it will be selected

to serve as the home of the fictional

crawley family

in everyone's favorite period drama

which is actually pretty apt

because as it happened carter found

himself at the center

of his own little drama that day in

1922.

you see the fifth earl of carnarvon was

his benefactor

the man who'd been financing carter's

archaeological expeditions

in the valley of the kings for the

previous seven years

during which time carter had turned up

next to nothing of archaeological

interest

admittedly the outbreak of the first

world war had somewhat hampered his

efforts

but that didn't change the fact that

carnavan had invested a lot of time and

money into the venture

in return for diddly squat

well i say diddly squat carter's years

in egypt

had yielded a few odds and ends scraps

of linen

and shards of pottery mostly it wasn't

much but many of these items shared

something strange in common

they were inscribed with a single word

the name of an egyptian pharaoh whose

remains

had never been located tutankhamun

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as far as carter was concerned it was

proof he was close

but lord carnarvon had asked carter to

join him at high clear castle

to tell him it was over that he would no

longer be financing digs in the valley

of the kings

carter was almost frantic practically

begging carnavan to give him more time

and that show of passion paid off

because carter came away with a deal

one more year if he didn't uncover

anything of note in that time

his funding would be cut and all of his

hard work over the years

would have been for nothing as it turned

out carter wouldn't need anywhere close

to a year

he resumed his search for the tomb of

tutankhamun on november the 1st

1922 and three days later

he found it the team was going over old

ground near the previously discovered

tomb of ramesses the six

when one of carter's men stumbled over a

large piece of rock

being a former archaeological dick site

there was plenty of rubble lying around

but unlike the rest of the loose rocks

this particular chunk

was partially buried beneath sand and

mud it turned out to be the top

of a very long staircase that

disappeared beneath the ground

until it ended abruptly

right at the door of tooting car moons

tomb

carter called for lord carnavan at once

and

when the earl arrived the two men got a

front row seat

at the opening of what was basically the

world's most exciting unit on storage

wars

but unlike storage wars tooting car

moon's tomb wasn't full of

soils mattresses and 80s pornography

no it was packed almost to bursting with

around 5 000

priceless artifacts including a

dismantled chariot

finely carved figurines priceless

jewelry

ancient weapons and one standard issue

egyptian mummy ensconced in no fewer

than

three nested sarcophagi the last of

which

was made of solid gold somewhat

ironically

considering the almost immediate rock

star status tootin car moon enjoyed

around the world

off the back of this rediscovery of his

mummified body

he wasn't actually all that important in

his own time

at least as far as pharaohs go and

whilst he would become

famous for unleashing a curse on the men

who found him

it seems the boy king who was only 19

when he died

may have suffered from a curse all of

his own

a cripplingly small gene pool if you've

watched my video on the dangers of

inbreeding

you'll know making babies with close

family members

is a bad idea and not just because of

the funny looks you'll get at the

hospital

unfortunately for king twos his parents

apparently

hadn't watched my video on inbreeding

because they were siblings

if only they'd subscribe to the channel

anyway

as a result of this rather unfortunate

brother and sister action

tutankhamun was born with a wide range

of both physical and

mental disabilities perhaps that's why

he was pissed off enough to unleash a

deadly curse

when his not-so-eternal slumber was

shattered

three and a half thousand years later

randomly enough

the first life snuffed out by the curse

of tooting car moon

taken on the very day the tomb was

discovered was that of howard carter's

canary

it was stationed in a bird cage hanging

outside his door

and its untimely demise served as an

appropriate warning of the danger that

was about to come

it was a messenger boy who stumbled

across the grizzly scene coiled in on

itself inside carter's birdcage was a

huge cobra

the cage's previous occupant hanging

from its mouth

efforts were made to save the poor bird

but by the time the alarm was raised the

canary had already passed on

to a better place well the cobra small

intestine

it was a creepy event made even creepier

by the all-too-obvious connection to the

recently opened tomb

you see that very same day the team had

found

two statues guarding the entrance to a

still-sealed chamber within the tube

fought to hold the pharaoh sarcophagus

the statues were large and imposing

depicting tutankhamun himself

and each wore a golden crown adorned

with a urease

that's the ancient egyptian symbol of

divine authority

and it just so happens to be in the

shape of a cobra

as far as omens went it was a bad one

but carter and his men were made of

stern stuff after all you don't get a

gravedigging gig in egypt

by being superstitious the group were a

little shaken

but whilst a few whispered about a

possible curse

most were certain it was just an

unfortunate coincidence

and a coincidence it may well have been

but that didn't save lord carnavan it

started with nothing

more than a mosquito bite on the earl's

cheek a few months after the discovery

of the tomb

it was a small wound the kind we've all

experienced on a warm summer's evening

itchy and annoying but no big deal

lord carnarvon probably fought the same

but

when he nicked that very same spot while

shaving

later that evening he opened up the

wound just enough

to let the blood start seeping out and

infection

creep in he was dead from blood

poisoning

within two weeks a little more than four

months after becoming one of the very

first people to step foot inside

tutankhamun's tomb

in another spooky coincidence when the

pharaoh's body was first examined during

an autopsy

six months later a strange lesion just

like an insect bite was found

on its cheek at this point people

started to take notice

at 56 lord carnavan was not a

particularly old man

and his death from what seemed to be a

minor injury

was unsettling those

first whispers of bad omens and curses

that had started after the incident with

the cobra

soon became full-blown rumors of an

ancient and terrible curse

that made headlines in newspapers around

the world

and the deaths just kept on coming in

may 1923

financier george j gold succumbed to the

effects of a fever

he'd contracted whilst in egypt he'd

begun to show symptoms of illness not

long after visiting the newly discovered

tomb

of one tooting car moon a man called

arthur mace was next

dead from arsenic poisoning in 1928

he'd been an important member of

carter's excavation team

carter's secretary died a year after

that smothered in his sleep in a posh

club in mayfair

by an assailant who was never caught

as those connected to carter and the

excavation

continued to drop like flies people

began to speculate

as to just what was behind the deaths

the papers spoke of a written curse

scrawled across the wall of

tutankhamun's tomb

in weathered hieroglyphics death shall

come on swift wings

to him who disturbs the peace of the

king

sir arthur conan doyle author of the

sherlock holmes mysteries

had his own theory suggesting

invisible elemental guards left to

defend the long dead pharaoh

might have been responsible whatever it

was it seems as though carter and his

team

were being targeted by something

so what became of howard carter himself

the man who discovered the tomb in the

first place and ultimately the person

responsible for disturbing the pharaoh's

peace

what terrible fate did the curse have in

store for him

hodgkin's lymphoma which killed him at

the age of 64.

a good 16 years after he first entered

tooting car moon's tomb

hmm okay yeah that does kind of mess

with the whole

curse angle a bit doesn't it and

now i come to think about it he wasn't

the only one to escape the mummy's wrath

by

living to a ripe old age and dying of

natural causes

in fact of the 58 people known to have

been present when the tomb was first

opened

only eight died within the following 12

years

and one study by well-known scourge of

the paranormal

james randy found that those supposedly

struck by the full force of the curse

survived on average for 23 years after

the tomb was discovered

okay so maybe that's because there was

only so much of the curse to go around

a bit like a supernatural version of a

poisoned mouse trap

deadly but it could only take so many

victims before it ran out

that could be it or you know

the whole cursed tomb thing could just

be one gigantic pile of ancient egyptian

camel [ __ ]

just a thought as it turns out

there's actually a pretty

straightforward explanation for the

curse of twosome car moon

one that doesn't require any hocus pocus

threatening hieroglyphics or any of

those invisible elemental sentinels

conan doyle suggested we're guarding the

tomb

although on that last one i must admit i

do kind of love the irony of an author

still famous today for

creating one of the most ruthlessly

logical characters

ever to grace popular culture was

himself

and absolute fruitly anyway before lord

carnavan

sadly passed away he'd been a pretty

astute businessman

he'd sunken a huge amount of cash into

his search for the tomb of tootin car

moon over many years

so when he finally found the damn thing

he wanted to make a little return on his

investment

and the first way to do that was to sign

an exclusive contract with the times

newspaper back in england

for rights to report on the excavation

times journalists were allowed to access

the tomb

and the pictures and articles they

printed had their newspapers flying off

the shelves back home

having been entirely denied access to

the site

the other newspapers had nothing to

print about the remarkable events taking

place in the valley of the kings and so

they did what newspapers always do when

they have nothing

genuine to report on they made something

up

while some egyptian tombs did indeed

have curses

scribbled on their walls and entrance

ways

king toot's tomb wasn't one of them

that apparent curse reported in some

newspapers about

death and swift wings and all of that

nonsense

was simply made up most likely by some

journalist with aspirations of becoming

a horror writer

basically the curse sold papers and so

the press kept hyping it

up every chance they got

after that the whole thing was mostly

just confirmation bias

a few of those involved with the

excavation did indeed

die some in unusual circumstances but

most

didn't take any large event in history

and you'll probably find at least a

handful of those attending

kicked the bucket not long afterwards

lord carnarvons was arguably the only

somewhat unusual death coming as it did

so

soon after the discovery was made

but in reality there was nothing

mysterious about his demise

you see back in 1903 he'd been involved

in a bad

car accident and his health had never

really recovered

in fact the only reason he got

interested in egyptian tombs in the

first place

was thanks to his doctor's advice to

dodge winters in downton

by jetting off some place warm on

account of his poor health

that warm place ended up being egypt

and carnarvon became fascinated by the

local culture

a passion which eventually led to his

patronage of howard carter

carnavan was killed by a mosquito bite

simply because his immune system was

weak to begin with

and he wasn't able to fight off the

ensuing infection

as for the mark they found on the

mummy's face that seemed to correspond

to the bite

it was just a coincidence and besides it

seems nobody could quite remember

whether it was actually on the same

cheek as the bite that did it for lord

carnavan

and since he'd already been dead half a

year when they discovered it

there was no way to actually find out

so could there have been a curse lurking

in the tomb of tutankhamun

well never say never but uh

no absolutely not

but before i go i can tell you about a

real cursed tomb

if you like you know just so you don't

feel shortchanged

this grumpy looking chap is kasamir iv

who was grand duke of lithuania and king

of poland during the 15th century

he died in 1492 the same year columbus

discovered the new world for europe

and he was laid to rest beneath warrell

castle in krakow

where he was to remain undisturbed for

481 years

it was a team of scientists who broke

that piece when they were permitted to

enter the tomb to examine the ancient

king's remains

as well as having a good poke around

they had plans to restore the crypt to

its former glory

but they would never get the chance

because whilst old kasamir may not have

achieved the same fame as a certain

ancient egyptian pharaoh

he really knew how to do a good curse

of the 12 scientists to enter the team

four were dead within the week

and the rest didn't hold out much longer

10 died prematurely in all

and of the two that survived one

suffered serious health problems for the

rest of his life

now that's how you do a cursed tomb

textbook stuff kasamir

although i'm afraid once again the

reality here

probably doesn't quite live up to your

expectations

because whilst kazumi's tomb absolutely

did contain a curse

there was nothing supernatural about it

no

this curse was something scientists

could capture and study

something to which they gave a name and

that name was aspergillus flavis a type

of fungus that produces aflatoxins

which can prove fatal to humans when

inhaled or ingested

the deadly fungus was grown unhindered

in the rotten wood of the king's coffin

for almost 500 years when the scientists

entered the tomb

disturbing the air just enough to

release a cloud of lethal spores all

around them in the process

so remember curses may not really exist

but killer mushrooms certainly do thanks

for watching

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