logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2024
57m 26s

Tutankhamun's Curse

History Hit
About this episode

Untimely deaths followed the opening of Tutankhamun's tomb by Howard Carter. Coincidence or ancient curse? When the tomb of King Tutankhamun was sealed more than 3000 years ago, it was rumoured to be protected by a curse, which would ruin the life of anyone who disturbed the pharaoh's final resting place. A mere two weeks after the tomb was discovered in 1922, one of the explorers died from a fatal mosquito bite. This wasn't the end of the bad luck, there was more to come... Anthony and Maddy are joined by Egyptologist Campbell Price to unpick fact from fiction, and get to the bottom of one of the most notorious curses in the world.


Edited by Tomos Delargy. Produced by Sophie Gee. Senior Producer is Charlotte Long.


Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Sign here for up to 50% for 3 months using code AFTERDARK.


You can take part in our listener survey here.


After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast

Voting is now open for the Listener's Choice Award at this year's Podcast Awards. Click to place your vote on the Spotify mobile app: https://open.spotify.com/s/xhg6PJa


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Oct 15
The 'Changeling Murder' of Bridget Cleary
The story goes that in 1895 Bridget Cleary was burned to death by her husband who believed she was a 'changeling' fairy.In today's episode, Anthony and Maddy interrogate the stories we've been told about this murder in rural Ireland and if an interesting story of supernatural bel ... Show More
1h 17m
Oct 12
Medieval Origins of Dracula
With Halloween just around the corner, it's the perfect time to really get to know the familiar figure of Dracula.What vampires came before him? What fears were the Victorians projecting onto him? And perhaps most importantly, who played the best version of him?Joining Anthony an ... Show More
49m 40s
Oct 8
The Real Werewolf Trials of Europe
You've heard of the witch trials, but have you heard of the werewolf trials?!This fascinating history takes us to back to the 16th and 17th centuries, when panic spread through villages in mainland Europe leading to a number of people being tried and executed as werewolves.What e ... Show More
1 h
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2021
The Mummy’s Curse
Disturbing the remains of the Egyptian pharaohs is known to incur a deadly curse, so why did a team of archeologists still risk inciting the wrath of King Tutankhamun by entering his burial chamber? And how many of them met a premature end for their impudence? Learn more about yo ... Show More
36m 51s
Feb 2023
The Mummy's Curse (Classic)
A hundred years ago, the Tomb of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun was officially opened - despite the widely held belief that disturbing the remains of the Egyptian pharaohs could incur a deadly curse. Why did a team of archeologists risk inciting the wrath of King Tutankhamun by entering ... Show More
37m 25s
Jul 2008
The Cursed Tomb of King Tut
<p>An inscription above King Tutankhamen's burial chamber reads: 'Death will come on swift pinions to those who disturb the rest of the Pharaoh.' This was known as the mummy's curse -- but was it fact, or fiction? Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to lear</p><p> </p> Learn mor ... Show More
4m 19s
Jun 2023
The Curse of King Tut's Tomb: Is It Real?
Unravel the ancient mysteries surrounding King Tut's curse! Explore the infamous deaths and misfortunes linked to Tutankhamun's tomb, while uncovering the truth behind the legendary curse and its modern debunking. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 
46m 46s
Oct 2023
October Halloween Extravaganza | The Curse of King Tut
tail spinning
31m 6s
Oct 2019
The Curse
Did someone say "more mummies"? No? You didn't hear that? It sounded like "more mummies" but it was kind of muffled and droning? OH GOD WHAT'S THAT!? It's still October, and we're still being spooky. This week, it's the story of King Tutankhamen's Curse, which is a bit more super ... Show More
40m 20s
Oct 2024
Mummy Murder Cover-Up
Before becoming the world’s most famous mummy, King Tut was a teen pharaoh. When he suddenly died at age 19, it changed Egyptian history. But it wasn’t until the 1920s that a new theory came into play: King Tut was murdered in a political coup. And he might not have been the only ... Show More
53m 32s
Dec 2019
Tutankhamun
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the discovery in 1922 of Tutankhamun's 3000 year old tomb and its impact on the understanding of ancient Egypt, both academic and popular. The riches, such as the death mask above, were spectacular and made the reputation of Howard Carter who led t ... Show More
53m 14s