Ruehl, how many pharaohs tombs had curses placed upon them?
Surprisingly, not a single one! That is the mind-boggling conclusion of Egyptologist Dr. Dominic Montserrat of London’s Open University, author of the intriguing book, “History, Fantasy, and Ancient Egypt.” He determined that no curses whatsoever were placed on royal tombs to discourage robbers! The concept of such a deadly incantation apparently dates back to a bizarre 1821 “burlesque” show near London’s Picadilly Circus, wherein mummies on stage were slowly unwrapped before cheering audiences! The following year, author Jane Webb, perhaps motivated by this, penned “The Mummy,” a novel concerning a homicidal mummy revivified in the 22nd century, bent on revenge. And a specific curse was detailed in the 1869 work, “The Mummy’s Curse,” written by the celebrated American novelist Louisa May Alcott of “Little Women” fame. (While this may seem a bit out of character for Alcott, it should be noted that she had an abiding interest in occult matters with a strong belief in reincarnation. She
