The story of the “Mummy’s Curse” stirred the world following the discovery in 1922 of the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun in Egypt. Lord Carnarvon, the British patron, died shortly after attending the tomb’s opening, sparking rumors that supernatural forces were to blame.
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The head of Pharaoh Tutankhamun before being subjected to a CT scan |
In recent years, a scientific hypothesis about Carnarvon’s death has emerged. Could he have died from exposure to toxic pathogens from the long-sealed tomb? Did these pathogens challenge his already compromised immune system, weakened by a chronic illness he suffered from prior to his arrival in Egypt?
“When you think of Egyptian tombs, you see not only mummies but also food – meat, vegetables, and fruits buried for the journey to the afterlife“, said Jennifer Wegner, an Egyptologist at the University of Pennsylvania Museum in Philadelphia. “They surely attract insects, bacteria, mold, and similar things. Such raw materials have lain dormant for thousands of years.”
Recent laboratory studies have revealed that some ancient mummies indeed showed signs of mold, containing at least two potential dangerous species – Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus. These molds can trigger allergic reactions of various levels, from congestion to pulmonary hemorrhage. They are particularly dangerous for those with weakened immune systems. Some tomb walls may be covered with respiratory pathogens such as Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus.
Scientists have also found ammonia, formaldehyde, and hydrogen sulfide inside sealed sarcophagi. At high concentrations, these can cause eye and nasal burns, lead to pneumonia-like symptoms, and in severe cases, can be fatal.
Bats inhabiting many excavated tombs carry fungi that can cause respiratory illnesses similar to flu. Under suitable conditions, these agents could be lethal.
However, experts who investigated Carnarvon’s death believe that toxins from the tomb were not related to his demise. Lord Carnarvon had suffered chronic illness before stepping into the resting place of the pharaoh. Furthermore, he died several months after his initial exposure to the tomb. If he had been exposed to biological agents there, they would have acted sooner.
“Considering the sanitary conditions at that time, especially in Egypt, Lord Carnarvon seemed safer inside the tomb than outside“, remarked Dr. F. DeWolfe Miller, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
“We have never known of a single case of archaeologists or tourists suffering any calamity (from mold or bacteria in tombs)“, Miller stated.
“In the archaeological projects I’ve participated in, we generally did not wear masks or protective gear,” she explained. “If we did, it was because of concerns about inhaling dust, not mold“. “If someone has a weak immune system, they might want to wear protection in a tomb, but that could happen in a restaurant or anywhere else“.
On the other hand, while molds and bacteria are present in Egyptian tombs, it is not easy to determine which ones are truly ancient. Moreover, despite the presence of all these harmful agents, most archaeological sites, including tombs, have been shown to be safe for both scientists and visitors.
In fact, the real curse of the mummies may fall upon the tombs themselves, not on modern-day tourists. “You can’t count the number of examples of tombs being poisoned by humans, rather than tombs poisoning humans“, Miller explained. The act of opening tombs by those eager to make discoveries without considering conservation measures can expose the tombs to severe damage. Humidity has allowed mold to grow on the walls, destroying paintings and other artifacts. Not to mention the damage caused by visitors.
