10 CURSED Archaeological Discoveries

Top 10 Cursed Archaeological Discoveries

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for ancient objects, discoveries, and locations that are thought to be cursed.

#10: Bhangarh

Situated in northern India is an abandoned village called Bhangarh. Bhangarh was established in 1573 by a ruler named Bhagwant Das, who had it made as a residence for his son. Unfortunately, the village lasted just a few decades of prosperity before falling into decline, and it was completely abandoned by 1783. The ruins are widely believed to be haunted, and locals claim that you cannot enter after sunset for fear of malicious spirits. The curse has two origins. Some believe that a man named Baba Balnath cursed the town after it was built too high and its shadows intruded into Balnath’s property. Another source claims that a wizard named Singhiya cursed the town after its Princess denied his affections.

#9: The Beit She'arim Necropolis

Known in Hebrew as The House of Gates, the necropolis is a series of rock-cut tombs found in the ruined town of Beit She'arim. The village dates back to the 1st century BCE and is considered the oldest Jewish cemetery in the world. The area has only been partially excavated, and work continues to this day. In 2022, archaeologists found a new cave inside the necropolis system. And they also found something pretty darned spooky. Written in blood red letters was the phrase, “Yaakov Ha'Ger vows to curse anybody who would open this grave so nobody will open it.” Yaakov Ha'Ger was the man’s name, meaning “Jacob the proselyte.” Now that’s a pretty direct curse… and warning.

#8: The Ring of Silvianus

Fun fact - it’s very likely that the Ring of Silvianus inspired J.R.R Tolkien in his creation of the cursed One Ring! Let’s back up. The gold ring dates back to the fourth century and bears the name “Seniciane,” or Senicianus. And it was randomly found on a farm in 1785. Much later, an archaeologist named Mortimer Wheeler was working on a Roman temple in Lydney Park when he found a curse tablet. It read, in part, “Silvianus has lost a ring…Senicianus permits no good health until it is returned to the temple of Nodens.” This inscription was linked to the ring found on the farm, and Wheeler consulted with Tolkien for help identifying “Nodens.” The rest is literary history.

#7: Ötzi

Imagine taking a walk through the mountains and stumbling across a mummy. That’s exactly what happened to two German tourists on September 19, 1991. Helmut and Erika Simon were walking in the Ötztal Alps between Italy and Austria when they stumbled across Ötzi the Iceman, who dates back to 3105 BCE. But some believe that Ötzi was not to be disturbed, as a curious number of people related to his study have since died. Seven to be exact, including forensic specialist Rainer Henn, archeologist Konrad Spindler, and DNA expert Tom Loy. Scariest of all is the death of Helmut Simon, one of the German tourists who found Ötzi. In 2004, Simon was also found frozen in ice, and in the same mountain range.

#6: The Karun Treasure

Back in the mid 1960s, a number of Turkish bandits invaded the tomb of an ancient Lydian princess. Lydia was an old kingdom from the Iron Age located in what is now Western Asia. They blew away the roof with dynamite, unveiling the tomb and its varied treasures. They proceeded to steal the treasure and sold it to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for $1.2 million, the modern equivalent of about $10 million. These artifacts are known as the Karun Treasure, and they are said to be cursed. Legend has it that everyone involved in the illegal excavation suffered to some degree, whether it be a great personal mishap or even horrific death. But, however, there is no proof of this having occurred.

#5: Fairy Forts

Ireland is littered with fairy forts. According to some estimates, there may be as many as 40,000 dotting the countryside. And what exactly is a fairy fort? In reality, they are the circular stone remains of prehistoric dwellings. But according to Irish folklore, they are mythical locations imbued with the magic of the Druids. Some even believe they serve as entrances to the fairy world and that they are not to be disturbed under any circumstances. It is widely believed that disturbing a fairy fort will result in bad luck, injury, or even death. In 2012, the richest person in Ireland, a man named Seán Quinn, went bankrupt. His downfall was blamed on a relocated fairy fort.

#4: The Terracotta Army

There are few archaeological finds as substantial as the Terracotta Army. The legendary discovery was made by a group of Chinese farmers in 1974, who were digging a well in the immediate vicinity. Consisting of hundreds of horses and more than 8,000 soldiers, the Terracotta Army stands watch over the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. But, once again, we have an example of the discoverers suffering great misfortune. The farmers were forced out of their homes following the discovery and fell into poverty, as the Chinese government claimed the land for excavations. One farmer even took his own life, as a painful reward for finding an archaeological treasure.

#3: Mercury Temple

Britain is filled with a lot of great Roman history. Excavations occurred in West Hill, Gloucestershire throughout the late ‘70s, uncovering an ancient religious site dating to the Neolithic period. At one point this site was used as a Roman temple dedicated to Mercury. Archaeologists have also unearthed hundreds of curse tablets at the site. These are typically composed of a light metal and contain Greek or Latin writings. As their name suggests, curse tablets bear a curse of some kind, usually targeting the place or the people who disturb it. Judging by the numerous finds, it’s obvious that someone held Mercury Temple in high regard and wanted it protected.

#2: The Hope Diamond

Go to the National Museum of Natural History and you’ll find the Hope Diamond, a massive 45-carat diamond with a deep blue color. It was extracted from an Indian mine back in the 17th century and has gone through many notable hands, including King Louis XIV of France and Marie Antoinette. But the Hope Diamond is said to curse anyone who wears or owns it. One article published in The Washington Post even carried the tantalizing headline “Hope Diamond Has Brought Trouble To All Who Have Owned It.” However, this has since been regarded as a legend meant to perpetuate the diamond’s allure, despite a few sensational bankruptcies and deaths. Or is it?

#1: King Tut’s Tomb

King Tut’s tomb stands as a defining symbol of ancient Egyptian culture. The tomb was discovered by Howard Carter in 1922, but he supposedly unleashed an ancient curse in the process. This curse is apparently blamed for claiming four lives in just seven years, including some from rather unpredictable causes. For example, financial backer George Herbert died of an infected mosquito bite, and Carter’s secretary Richard Bethell was supposedly smothered in bed. The curse even apparently claimed a tourist, railroad executive George Jay Gould, who died of a fever after visiting the tomb. Other spooky things have been attributed to the curse as well. For example, Henry Herbert claimed that the power went out in Cairo the moment his father died.

Do you believe in curses? Let us know in the comments below!