Short History Of Tomb-raiding: The Epic Hunt Fo... -

: Many early modern hunts were steeped in the supernatural, with "expert magicians" hired to locate treasure and communicate with guarding spirits like ghosts or djinns.

: In the early 19th century, figures like Giovanni Battista Belzoni—a former circus strongman—became famous for moving massive artifacts, such as the bust of Ramesses II , from Egypt to European museums. 3. The Modern Era: From Curiosity to Conservation

: Even the earliest Predynastic tombs were plundered for their treasures. Short History of Tomb-Raiding: The Epic Hunt fo...

Tomb robbing is as old as the pyramids themselves. In Ancient Egypt, burial was not just a farewell; it was a transition to the afterlife, requiring the deceased to be surrounded by their worldly possessions. This concentrated wealth acted as a magnetic pull for thieves, often within hours of interment.

A Short History of Tomb-Raiding: The Epic Hunt for Egypt's Treasures : Many early modern hunts were steeped in

By the medieval and early modern periods, tomb raiding became more systematic.

: Because tombs were seen as vehicles to the afterlife, robbing them was considered sacrilegious. Legal documents from the 20th Dynasty (1189–1077 B.C.E.) detail trials of gangs who pillaged rock-cut tombs in Thebes. The Modern Era: From Curiosity to Conservation :

: Egyptian builders constantly innovated to outsmart thieves, moving from conspicuous pyramids to hidden tombs in the Valley of the Kings and using massive granite blocks to seal entrances. 2. The Professionalization of Looting