Was there a curse on King Tut's tomb?

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode examines whether King Tutankhamun was killed by a tomb curse or by natural/medical causes. The hosts trace the discovery of Tut’s tomb, rumors of a curse tied to early deaths, and later scientific reassessments showing no evidence of supernatural harm. They conclude that infection, injury, and possible tomb pathogens are far more plausible explanations than a curse.

Main Topics: King Tut’s life and burial (Priority: 5/5): The hosts review Tutankhamun as a boy king buried with chariots, animals, and royal goods, emphasizing the richness and unusual nature of the tomb. Theories about Tut’s death (Priority: 5/5): They discuss competing explanations for Tut’s early death, including war wounds, a chariot accident, murder/poisoning, bone disease, malaria, and an infected leg fracture. Discovery and mishandling of the tomb (Priority: 4/5): The segment recounts Howard Carter’s excavation of KV62, the alleged looting of the tomb in antiquity, and the damage done to Tut’s body during unwrapping and examination. The mummy’s curse legend (Priority: 5/5): The hosts explain how deaths linked to the excavation fueled stories of a curse, including Lord Carnarvon’s death, a canary’s death, and tabloid-era sensationalism. Scientific debunking of the curse (Priority: 5/5): They cite later studies showing no statistical support for a curse, including Mark R. Nelson’s analysis of Westerners exposed to the tomb. Possible medical/environmental causes (Priority: 4/5): The discussion notes that mold, fungus, bacteria, and toxic gases in sealed tombs could have sickened vulnerable people, even if they do not prove a curse. Listener mail and organ donation (Priority: 3/5): A closing mail segment highlights a listener who donated a kidney to a coworker after hearing an earlier episode on organ donation.

Key Arguments: Tutankhamun’s death is better explained by injury and infection than by murder or a supernatural curse. The famous curse narrative was amplified by media hype, Egyptomania, and the era’s fascination with death and the occult. Howard Carter’s excavation and handling of the mummy created confusion about injuries, making later forensic interpretation difficult. Statistical studies found no increase in early mortality among people exposed to Tut’s tomb compared with similar contemporaries. Mold, fungi, decomposing organic material, and gases in sealed tombs are plausible health hazards, but they are not evidence of a curse. Some items and body damage were likely caused by excavation practices rather than Tut’s original condition.

Data Points: Tutankhamun’s reign: from age 9 to 19 - Described as the boy king who ruled briefly before dying young. Chariots in tomb: 6 - He was buried with six chariots, reflecting elite status and royal afterlife provisions. Children with sister-wife: 2 - Both babies were reportedly born prematurely and died. KV62: 62nd tomb found in the Valley of the Kings - Howard Carter’s discovery of Tut’s tomb. Objects in tomb: about 4,000 - The tomb contained thousands of artifacts and royal goods. Official exposure dates: 4 - Nelson’s paper counted four major opportunities for exposure to the tomb. Westerners analyzed by Nelson: 44 - Study population used in the British Medical Journal paper. Exposed vs unexposed lifespan: 20.8 years vs 28.9 years after exposure - Average survival after exposure versus comparable non-exposed Westerners in Egypt. Mean age at death: 70 vs 75 years - Average age of death for exposed versus unexposed groups in Nelson’s analysis. Deaths by 1926: 11 - Number of people reportedly dead within three years of the tomb opening who were connected to the excavation. Deaths by 1935: 21 - Expanded total cited in curse lore over time. Airborne hazards in sealed tombs: mold, bacteria, fungus, formaldehyde, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia - Potential environmental risks discussed as non-supernatural explanations. Leg fracture timing: 1 to 5 days before death - The hosts state the broken leg likely occurred shortly before Tut died.

Pivotal Quotes: "death will come on swift pinions to those who disturb the rest of the Pharaoh" — Josh Clark / Chuck Bryant: One version of the alleged curse inscribed on the tomb. "There was no curse." — Narration / hosts: The episode’s central conclusion after reviewing evidence and studies. "It was the curse of science and mold growing." — Chuck Bryant: A humorous summary of the more plausible explanation for reported deaths.

Implications: Listeners get a cautionary example of how legends can form around archaeology. The episode suggests that evidence, not rumor, should guide historical claims, and that sealed tombs may pose real biological hazards without invoking curses.