Ancient Egyptian Mummies Removed from Coffins Trigger Fears of the ‘Curse of the Pharaohs

The coffins of the high-status historic Egyptians, Sennedjem and one of his wives, have been opened at a museum in Egypt. The sarcophagi were unpacked in an attempt to restore and preserve the mummies inside, but some people fear the Curse of the Pharaohs, believed to be unleashed on those who disturb Ancient Egyptian mummies, could be triggered.

Sennedjem, a skilled worker and Egyptian official, was buried in the staff village of Set Maat in modern-day Deir Al-Medina along with his family. He lived during the reigns of Seti I and Ramsesses II of the nineteenth Dynasty, approximately 3,400 years ago. Known as a “Servant in the Place of Truth,” he oversaw other workers building tombs in the Valley of the Kings.

Discovered in 1886, Sennedjem’s tomb contained his wife Iyneferti and over 20 other relatives, along with household items such as his bed and a stool. His painted sarcophagus is in excellent condition, receiving the same high-quality mummification process as many pharaohs.

The sarcophagi have been moved to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization for restoration. Expert restorers carefully unpacked them in a fumigation tent, resembling a medical procedure. The mummies will undergo sterilization and bug removal processes before being displayed in a new exhibition hall opening in December.

The unpacking process was meticulous and resembled a medical procedure. Despite fears of the curse, the mummies are being unpacked and studied for research purposes by skilled experts. The Curse of the Pharaohs, associated with King Tutankhamun, is believed to bring bad luck, illness, or even death to those who disturb Ancient Egyptian remains.