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?
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10/29/21 • 36 min
2 Listeners
Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford - The Mummy’s Curse
Transcript
Pushkin. Three and a half thousand years ago, in ancient Egypt, the Princess of Munrah passed away. She was laid to rest in an exquisite wooden coffin and buried in a deep vault at Luxor on the banks of the Mighty Nile. More than thirty centuries later, in the late eighteen hundreds, four young English tourists, rich gentlemen all were offered the chance to purchase a delightfully painted mummy case. They drew lots to decide who had the right to
The Mummy’s Curse Top Questions Answered
What is the nocebo effect and how does it relate to the concept of a heart attack?
The nocebo effect is when anxiety about a specific outcome, like a heart attack, can actually contribute to it happening, becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.
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Target utilized algorithms to analyze customer data and make personalized marketing predictions, similar to the modern interpretation of the Mummy's Curse.
What is selection bias and how does it affect beliefs about the Mummy's Curse?
Selection bias refers to biased assumptions or flawed reasoning when evaluating the effectiveness of the Mummy's Curse, potentially leading to inaccurate beliefs about its existence.
What did the analysis by an epidemiologist reveal about the curse associated with Tutankhamun's tomb?
The analysis conducted by an epidemiologist found little evidence supporting the existence of a curse connected to the excavation of Tutankhamun's tomb.
How were supposed instances of the Mummy's Curse debunked?
Many supposed instances of the Mummy's Curse were debunked as fabricated or exaggerated stories, revealing the lack of substantial evidence for its existence.
Is it true that the unlucky coffin case sank with the Titanic?
No, it is not true. The unlucky coffin case never left the British Museum and did not sink with the Titanic.
What are some key sources for learning about the Mummy's Curse?
Key sources for studying the Mummy's Curse include Roger Luckhurst's book "The Mummy's Curse," the British Medical Journal, and Snopes.
What is the story behind the cursed mummy case known as the "Unlucky Mummy"?
The cursed mummy case, known as the "Unlucky Mummy," was purchased by four English tourists in the late 1800s and seemed to afflict anyone who owned it.
What happened when the cursed mummy case was donated to the British Museum?
After being donated to the British Museum, the cursed mummy case caused strange incidents and deaths among the museum staff and visitors.
Was the cursed mummy case shipped on the Titanic?
Yes, the cursed mummy case was shipped on the Titanic after being sold to a private collector and then an American archaeologist who didn't believe in curses.
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