For decades, the curse surrounding King Tutankhamun's tomb has baffled archaeologists. This fear stemmed from the unexplained deaths of several excavators involved in its groundbreaking discovery in 1922. However, a new theory challenges this supernatural story: the New York Post reported.
Scientist Ross Fellowes proposes a scientific explanation for the age-old mystery of the 'Pharaoh's Curse' in a recent article published in the Journal of Scientific Exploration (JSE). Fellowes suggests that toxic materials, including radioactive elements such as uranium and potentially hazardous waste, could be the culprit. These toxins could have remained potent in the sealed tomb for more than 3,000 years, posing a significant health risk to those who entered.
A recent study published in the Journal of Scientific Exploration by Ross Fellowes suggests that there are radiation levels in King Tutankhamun's tomb. The research shows that exposure to this radiation can lead to serious health complications, including cancer.
Mr. Fellowes further posits a link between these increased radiation levels and the unusually high prevalence of blood, bone and lymph cancers observed in both ancient and contemporary Egyptian populations. These specific cancers are known to be linked to radiation exposure. Furthermore, the study highlights that this increased radioactivity may not be solely limited to King Tutankhamun's tomb.
“Radiation has been detected by the Geiger counter at two locations in Giza, adjacent to the pyramids,” he wrote, adding that radon – a radioactive gas – has also been detected in “several underground tombs in Saqqara.”
“Both contemporary and ancient Egyptian populations are characterized by unusually high incidences of hematopoietic, bone/blood/lymph cancers, a primary known cause of which is radiation exposure,” Mr. Fellowes wrote in his study.
These measurements all turned out to be “intensely radioactive”.
“Modern studies confirm very high radiation levels in ancient Egyptian tombs, on the order of 10x accepted safety standards,” the study said.
Intriguingly, some theories suggest that the ancient builders themselves were aware of the dangers lurking within the tombs. This speculation stems from the presence of cryptic warnings engraved on the walls.
“The nature of the curse was explicitly inscribed on some graves, with one presciently translated as 'those who break this grave will meet death from a disease that no doctor can diagnose,'” Fellowes wrote.
Ambiguous inscriptions, possibly mistranslated as warnings of “evil spirits” and “forbidden” places, likely contributed to the continued belief in a supernatural curse associated with the tombs. This perception was further reinforced by sensational media reports surrounding the deaths of several individuals, including Lord Carnarvon, the main financier of the excavation, who died shortly after entering the tomb's treasury.
“Carnarvon was dead within a few weeks of the uncertain diagnosis of blood poisoning and pneumonia,” Fellowes wrote.
Egyptologist Arthur Weigall reportedly told his colleagues that Carnarvon would be “dead within six weeks” upon arrival, the study claimed.