The Curse of the Mummy

July 15, 2021
The oft-told story of the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb is framed around the purported curse of the pharaohs. In 1906, in British-occupied Egypt, the wealthy, occult-loving Earl of Carnarvon hunted treasure in the Valley of the Kings. He met Howard Carter, a mildly disgraced archaeologist, and the two began a long partnership that started with the meager excavation of picked-over sites and culminated with the most glamorous discovery in all of Egyptology. The two Englishmen who dug up the people of ancient Egypt were professionals and aristocrats who dined in luxury on crystal and china while their Egyptian workers remained unnamed, their opinions unheard. But the 1922 discovery of the lush treasures of King Tut's tomb, described in loving, fascinating particulars and illustrated in well-chosen photographs, is situated here amid something Carter and Carnarvon barely noticed: the nationalism of interwar Egypt and rising anger toward the colonial British occupiers who allowed them access to the tomb. Unfortunately, each chapter concludes with a section that opens with "it was said" and proceeds to detail bad omens and terrible events that befell people who had even tangential connections to the tomb or its treasures. A final chapter states that the mummy's curse doesn't exist, but the earlier maunderings feed into Orientalist tropes and don't fit with the overall historical narrative--a straightforward telling of Carter's excavations. A solid retread of familiar ground marred by the frequent evocation of a tired trope. (author's note, map, timeline, bibliography, source notes, photo and illustration credits, index) (Nonfiction. 8-12)

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August 1, 2021

Gr 6 Up-Fleming has done it again and created another engaging nonfiction history for middle and high school students with this deep dive into the excavation of the tomb of Tutankhamun. Grave robbers had been looting Egyptian tombs for thousands of years and British and French politics dominated Egypt at the turn of the century with little oversight of the ransacking. Despite this disarray, Tutankhamun's tomb remained hidden and largely untouched until 1922, when it was unearthed by Howard Carter, an archaeologist seen as a disreputable outsider in Europe's snobbish Egyptology scene. He was working for the hapless Lord Carnarvon, a British noble who fancied excavation as a hobby. Together they would toil away for years, excavating the hundreds of treasures while battling local and international politics over ownership rights. With swiftly moving text, Fleming covers many aspects of the story, including the gruesome mummification process, ancient Egyptian history, as well as the discriminatory policies of colonial rule. In addition to a spirited narrative of the facts, Fleming adds to the mystery and intrigue by opening each chapter with dark, cryptic anecdotes of some of the strange, unexplained deaths that were often attributed to the belief that the tomb was cursed. A final chapter discusses the possibilities and probabilities of such a curse. VERDICT This engrossing read is a sure bet that will please all history lovers. Recommended for all libraries serving teens.-Karen Bilton, Franklin Township P.L., NJ

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Starred review from September 15, 2021
Grades 4-8 *Starred Review* In Fleming's capable hands, the story of the boy king and Howard Carter's discovery of his tomb brims with enthusiasm, wonder, and mystique. While she doesn't sensationalize events, she does capitalize on the natural allure of thieves, treasure, and ancient curses, weaving all these through her account and thus ensuring her readers stay with her from start to finish. Easy-to-read but substantive, this history introduces readers to certain ancient Egyptian beliefs and practices, as well as important political and social circumstances in Carter's Egypt during the 1920s and '30s. Fleming expertly sets the scene and imbues both Carter and his benefactor, Lord Carnarvon, with personality as she unfolds events chronologically, highlighting Carter's meticulous excavation methods. Care is taken to discuss the negative impact of colonialism at work in Egypt during this time, and Carter's own flaws are likewise pointed out, most effectively in the chapter describing the irreverent handling of Tutankhamun's mummy. Fleming also tantalizingly traces the misfortunes of those connected with the tomb, showing easily how these were interpreted as an ancient curse, before thoroughly debunking this idea. Throughout the book, black-and-white period photographs show the tomb's treasures and key players at work (including captions that acknowledge unnamed Egyptian workers). Back matter outlines Tutankhamun's position in ancient Egyptian history and features a bibliography and source notes. A compelling peek at one of the world's greatest discoveries.

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