Jewels that supposedly doomed their wearers, film sets whispered about in hushed tones, and archaeological discoveries said to bring misfortune—humans have always looked to mysterious forces to explain tragedy. Curses linger in our collective imagination, clinging on even in modern times. Some are coincidences, others pure superstition, but all have captivated us. Here are 29 things people once believed carried terrifying, otherworldly curses.
#1: Tutankhamun’s Tomb
When Howard Carter opened King Tut’s tomb in 1922, stories spread of a deadly curse striking down those involved. Several sudden deaths among the excavation team fueled headlines, even though most survived long lives. Still, the legend of Tutankhamun’s “curse” remains one of archaeology’s most enduring ghost stories.
