Menu English Ukrainian russian Home

Free technical library for hobbyists and professionals Free technical library


BIG ENCYCLOPEDIA FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS
Free library / Directory / Big encyclopedia for children and adults

What was Tutankhamun's curse? Detailed answer

Big encyclopedia for children and adults

Directory / Big encyclopedia. Questions for quiz and self-education

Comments on the article Comments on the article

Did you know?

What was Tutankhamun's curse?

There was no curse. There was an ordinary newspaper "duck".

The story of the "curse of the pharaoh" that overtook all who were present at the opening of the tomb of Tutankhamun, discovered by Howard Carter in 1922, turned out to be the work of the Cairo correspondent of the Daily Express (and was later reprinted by the Daily Mail and The New York Times) .

The note spoke of a mysterious inscription, allegedly promising "fast-winged death to anyone who enters this sacred crypt."

However, in reality there is no such inscription in the tomb. The most similar in meaning equivalent is a protective spell next to the statue of Anubis, the dog-headed god who guards the tomb. But even in this spell, it is rather about the ability to resist the desert: "It is I who do not allow the sands to choke this secret chamber. I am here to protect the departed."

In anticipation of Carter's expedition, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a firm believer in black magic, had already planted the seed of a "terrible curse" in the souls and minds of the press. And when Carter's patron, Lord Carnarvon, died suddenly of a septic mosquito bite a few weeks after the tomb was opened, Maria Corelli - sensational best-selling author and Dan Brown of her time - claimed that she warned the deceased of the danger that he brought upon himself by disturbing the peace Tutankhamen.

In reality, both Conan Doyle and Corelli simply echoed a fiction that was not yet a hundred years old. The ancestor of superstition was the young English writer Jane Loudon Webb. It is her extraordinarily popular novel The Mummy (1828) that we owe the plot of a cursed tomb with a revived mummy, who intends to take revenge on everyone who dared to disturb her peace.

The fascinating theme resonated in works of all sorts - even Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women, published a story about the "curse of the mummy" in 1869 - but it reached its peak with the advent of "Tutankhamun's fever".

No curses have been found in any of the ancient Egyptian tombs. In a research paper published in the British Medical Journal in 2002, it is made clear that of the twenty-six deaths allegedly caused by the "curse" of Tutankhamun, only six occurred within the first decade after the opening of the tomb, and Howard Carter himself (now who was definitely the number one target!) lived for another seventeen years.

Nevertheless, the notorious history does not want to leave the minds of mankind. In 1970, when an exhibition of objects from the famous tomb was being taken around the West, one of the guards in San Francisco complained of a sudden seizure caused by the "curse of the mummy."

A computer scan of the mummy of Tutankhamun in 2005 showed that the nineteen-year-old pharaoh was a thin young man with a height of 1 m 70 cm with a foolish bite. Apparently, Tutankhamen was not killed by his brother, as previously thought, but died from blood poisoning due to an open fracture of the leg.

Author: John Lloyd, John Mitchinson

 Random interesting fact from the Great Encyclopedia:

What is suede?

In hardware stores, you can see a fabric called "suede" for sale. It is bought for its softness, for the fact that it does not scratch the surface when polished. Many people use it to polish the surfaces of cars and furniture.

Suede is a processed chamois skin. But since chamois are extremely rare, almost all "suede" sold in the US is well-finished sheepskin!

A long time ago, chamois lived on the plains of Europe. Over time, when they were practically exterminated because of their tasty meat and soft skin, the chamois moved to the mountainous regions. Now they can mainly be found in the Alps and the Pyrenees, at the very line of snowmelt.

Like the ibex of the Rocky Mountains in the United States, the chamois belongs to the antelopes. This is one of the most cautious animals with well-developed organs of vision and smell, which warn her of danger. When the chamois flees from danger through rocks and gorges, it acts more agile than an antelope, and more confident than a mountain goat!

Everyone who watched the chamois grazing in the mountains noted that while the whole herd is grazing, one of the chamois guards their peace. When danger appears, she emits a sharp whistle, and the whole herd disappears. When escaping, they jump over deep ravines and gorges, rising up and down along such slopes that are inaccessible to humans.

The chamois is about the size of a domestic goat and weighs about 30 kg. The gray or brown skin changes its color depending on the season, but, unlike other animals, they are light in summer and dark, almost black in winter. Albino chamois are rare. The inhabitants of the Alps believe that the one who killed the white chamois will die in a year - this will be his punishment from the gnomes and sorceresses.

An old female is usually at the head of a small herd. In summer, the herd mainly consists of females and young chamois. High in the mountains, males graze separately. The horns of the chamois are smooth, black, their ends are bent back and down.

 Test your knowledge! Did you know...

▪ How are arteries different from veins?

▪ Why is lava hot?

▪ What animal was filmed both in the Caucasian prisoner and in the 9th company?

See other articles Section Big encyclopedia. Questions for quiz and self-education.

Read and write useful comments on this article.

<< Back

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

Artificial leather for touch emulation 15.04.2024

In a modern technology world where distance is becoming increasingly commonplace, maintaining connection and a sense of closeness is important. Recent developments in artificial skin by German scientists from Saarland University represent a new era in virtual interactions. German researchers from Saarland University have developed ultra-thin films that can transmit the sensation of touch over a distance. This cutting-edge technology provides new opportunities for virtual communication, especially for those who find themselves far from their loved ones. The ultra-thin films developed by the researchers, just 50 micrometers thick, can be integrated into textiles and worn like a second skin. These films act as sensors that recognize tactile signals from mom or dad, and as actuators that transmit these movements to the baby. Parents' touch to the fabric activates sensors that react to pressure and deform the ultra-thin film. This ... >>

Petgugu Global cat litter 15.04.2024

Taking care of pets can often be a challenge, especially when it comes to keeping your home clean. A new interesting solution from the Petgugu Global startup has been presented, which will make life easier for cat owners and help them keep their home perfectly clean and tidy. Startup Petgugu Global has unveiled a unique cat toilet that can automatically flush feces, keeping your home clean and fresh. This innovative device is equipped with various smart sensors that monitor your pet's toilet activity and activate to automatically clean after use. The device connects to the sewer system and ensures efficient waste removal without the need for intervention from the owner. Additionally, the toilet has a large flushable storage capacity, making it ideal for multi-cat households. The Petgugu cat litter bowl is designed for use with water-soluble litters and offers a range of additional ... >>

The attractiveness of caring men 14.04.2024

The stereotype that women prefer "bad boys" has long been widespread. However, recent research conducted by British scientists from Monash University offers a new perspective on this issue. They looked at how women responded to men's emotional responsibility and willingness to help others. The study's findings could change our understanding of what makes men attractive to women. A study conducted by scientists from Monash University leads to new findings about men's attractiveness to women. In the experiment, women were shown photographs of men with brief stories about their behavior in various situations, including their reaction to an encounter with a homeless person. Some of the men ignored the homeless man, while others helped him, such as buying him food. A study found that men who showed empathy and kindness were more attractive to women compared to men who showed empathy and kindness. ... >>

Random news from the Archive

Monitor NEC MultiSync EA234WMi 15.05.2013

NEC has announced the addition of a new EA234WMi model to its MultiSync EA series of monitors. The novelty is built on the basis of a 23-inch AH-IPS LCD panel and is priced at $269 in the US.

The device uses LED backlighting, and the characteristics of the matrix are as follows: resolution - 1920 x 1080 pixels, brightness - 250 cd/m1000, contrast ratio - 1:6, pixel response time - 178 ms, viewing angles - 2.0 degrees vertically and horizontally. The monitor is equipped with HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI-D and D-Sub video outputs, as well as a four-port USB 2 hub and two built-in speakers with a total power of XNUMX watts.

Two sensors have been used in the monitor - lighting, on the basis of which automatic brightness control operates, and the presence of the user. The latter allows you to turn off the monitor in the event that a person leaves the workplace.
The MultiSync EA234WMi package includes a stand that provides height adjustment (in the range of 13 cm) of the display, its tilt, rotation and transfer from landscape to portrait mode.

Dimensions MultiSync EA234WMi - 543,8 x 218 x 380,4-510,4 mm, weight - 6,4 kg. The power consumption declared by the manufacturer in operating mode is 27 W, in power saving mode - 0,41 W.

Other interesting news:

▪ living batteries

▪ The robot anticipates human actions

▪ Aliens pollute the universe

▪ Ultra-fast thermal printer unit with USB interface

▪ What do whales sing

News feed of science and technology, new electronics

 

Interesting materials of the Free Technical Library:

▪ section of the site Grounding and grounding. Selection of articles

▪ article Social Pedagogy. Crib

▪ article Which goods are the most dangerous? Detailed answer

▪ article Tire work. Standard instruction on labor protection

▪ article Infrared electronic password. Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering

▪ article The spectator draws cards conceived by others. Focus Secret

Leave your comment on this article:

Name:


Email (optional):


A comment:





All languages ​​of this page

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews

www.diagram.com.ua

www.diagram.com.ua
2000-2024