Daily Star
3,000-year-old mummies are set to be transferred to a new museum and showcased in a ‘golden parade’ in Egypt this weekend, but locals fear a curse will be cast on the country.
Mummies of 18 kings and four queens are being moved this weekend, which has caused superstitious locals to fear a ‘curse of the Pharaohs’ will be released.
Egypt will hold a “golden parade” as it transfers the remains of ancient Pharaohs to a new museum in Cairo.
The mummies, more than 3,000 years old, will be processed through the capital’s streets on Saturday on stylised gold barges.
Fireworks, honorary gunfire and fanfares will light the skies – but locals on social media have suggested moving the remains will in fact unleash a curse, writes The Telegraph.
They argue that there is a link between the planned parade today and recent disasters – including the blockage of the Suez Canal, a deadly train crash and the collapse of a building in the city.
Khaled al-Anany, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, promised the parade would be “a unique world-class grand event that befits the grandeur of our great ancestors”.
However, morbid jokes have also spread on social media on the ‘curse of the Pharaohs’, with some saying it is responsible for the fatal train accident that killed almost 20 people in Sohag province recently.
An ancient warning found on Tutankhamun’s tomb has been quoted: “Death will come on quick wings for those who disturb the king’s peace.”
King Ramses II, who reigned from 1279-1213 BC, is among the mummies to be moved, as well as his father Seti I (1290-1279 BC).
Queen Merit Amun, who was the older sister and wife of Amenhotep I (1526-1506 BC) is also planned to be transferred.
The royal remains were uncovered by archaeologists in the 1890s and later moved to the Egyptian Museum.
After more than 100 years at their current setting, in Cairo’s Tahir Square, they’ll be taken to a brand new gallery at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation in Fustat, based in Old Cairo.
The mummies, with preserved skin, nails, hair and some original wrappings, have been viewed by millions of tourists.
Zahi Hawass, archaeologist and former minister, said: “I will never forget when I took Margaret to the museum.”
“In the gallery was the mummy of Ramses II… (Princess Margaret) closed her eyes and ran away – she couldn’t stand,” he added.
This news originally appeared on Daily Star.
