Lord Carnarvon’s death shortly after Tutankhamun’s tomb was found sparked a media frenzy around the so-called “curse of the mummy.” But research has revealed some secrets.
Examination of ancient tombs is not always safe for the life and health of archaeologists. One such example is the mysterious death of Lord Carnarvon. However, a 2002 study disproved the theory that the curse was associated with an increased risk of death. IFLScience writes that scientists are beginning to wonder whether the tomb could be home to dangerous pathogens.
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Lord died in 1923 at the age of 56, possibly from blood poisoning or pneumonia. While the leading theory is that he got it from a mosquito bite, some researchers believe this may be due to the presence of Aspergillus spores in the tomb.
Aspergillus is a fungal pathogen that can cause aspergillosis, a disease that affects tissues such as the lungs. Although most people inhale Aspergillus spores every day without any problems, people with weakened immune systems are at risk of contracting more serious diseases such as pneumonia.
Some researchers speculate that Carnarvon may have contracted Aspergillus in the tomb, as the spores can stay dormant in the lungs for long periods before becoming active. They suggested that the symptoms reported by Carnarvon are consistent with invasive Aspergillus sinusitis with local spread to the orbit.
Finding Aspergillus in tombs is not a new concept. It has been suggested as a possible explanation for the death of 10 scientists who opened the tomb of King Casimir, believed to have been detonated by a “biological bomb”. Focus it has already been said before. But while some have suggested that the death after Tutankhamun’s tomb was opened may be related to a pathogen in the tomb, there is no concrete evidence of this.
Other members of the expedition were also thought to have been affected by the mummy’s curse, including Sir Bruce Ingham, whose house burned down after accepting a paperweight made from a mummified hand as a gift.
There was also the Egyptian prince Ali Kamel Fahmi Bey, who died in 1923, but it was Tutankhamun’s job (although an original legal defense) to claim that his wife shot him.
However, the idea of the mummy’s curse remains eternal, fueling countless books and movies. Even today, more than 90 years after Carnarvon’s death, adoration for Tutankhamun and his tomb does not diminish.
But while the legend of the mummy’s curse persists, the truth about Carnarvon’s death is likely more mundane. Whether it’s an infection from a mosquito bite or a persistent fungus, the truth is that Lord Carnarvon was a wealthy man in his 50s and lived at a time when modern medicine was still in its infancy. While we want to believe in curses and the supernatural, sometimes the simplest explanation is the most plausible.
Previously Focus He wrote about ancient ritual funerary objects of the Celts in almost perfect condition. Archaeologists were stunned by the recent discovery of scissors that are more than 2,300 years old.
We also talked about a new burial in the ancient necropolis of the capital of the Old Kingdom. About 30 km from Cairo is the ancient city of Saqqara. Memphis, the capital of the Old Kingdom, has the oldest necropolis.
Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.