The Egyptian pyramids, particularly the Great Pyramids of Giza, have fascinated humanity for centuries. Beyond their architectural marvel and historical significance, these ancient structures are often associated with an aura of mystery, treasure, and danger. Popular culture has frequently depicted them as riddled with deadly booby traps designed to protect the pharaohs' tombs from grave robbers.
Architectural Deception
One of the earliest and most effective "traps" found in the pyramids was not a mechanical contraption but rather the sheer complexity of their design. In the Great Pyramid of Giza, several corridors and shafts lead to nowhere or terminate unexpectedly, creating a labyrinthine structure. After the pharaoh was buried, the passageways and entrances to the pyramid were blocked off.
There are passageways in the Great Pyramid that do not lead to the burial chamber, but their exact purpose is unclear; it's not certain if they were created to deceive intruders. Instead, the pyramid builders were very clever, making the inside of the pyramids like a tricky maze. This way, if someone tried to find the Pharaoh’s burial chamber, they could easily get lost.
Physical Obstacles
One of the most notable examples of physical obstacles can be seen in the Great Pyramid of Giza, where the descending passage leading to the King’s Chamber was blocked by several large granite plugs. These stone blocks, each weighing several tons, were slid into place after the tomb was sealed, making it nearly impossible to access the burial chamber without removing or breaking the blocks.
Another example of a defensive measure used in ancient Egyptian tombs involved sand traps, though they were not as dramatic as those depicted in adventure movies. For instance, the tomb of King Tutankhamun contained several corridors that were filled with rubble, making it difficult to enter certain chambers. Also, sometimes there were deep holes or hidden pits but these were just simple obstacles - not deadly traps. The robber would walk out the way they came in; nothing was lethal.
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Hidden Wells and Pits
In some tombs, particularly those of nobles and lesser-known figures, hidden wells or pits were employed as rudimentary traps. One example comes from the Valley of the Kings, where several tombs were found to contain deep vertical shafts or pits. The "very blockings of the passageways and shafts in some pyramids could also present a hazard to an intruder".
The Psychological Weapon: The Curse
"The Curse of the Pharaohs: Myth or Reality?"
While not a physical trap, the concept of the "curse" was a psychological weapon the Egyptians used to protect their tombs. The most famous example is the supposed "Curse of the Pharaoh" associated with the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb. Although there is no scientific evidence to support the existence of such a curse, its psychological power was significant.
These curses, though intangible, added an element of fear and trepidation, deterring would-be robbers from entering sacred spaces. The Egyptians also wrote curses. The Egyptians believed strongly in their gods and thought these curses might protect the tomb by making robbers too afraid to enter. While these were not physical traps, the curses acted like a kind of magic protection, using fear and belief to help keep the tomb safe.
The Reality of Tomb Robbing
To begin with, it’s important to understand that generally the pharaoh’s own subjects and in some cases, their direct successors, were the ones stealing their afterlife retirement plan. You see, a pharaoh’s power was more or less absolute and they could do pretty much anything they pleased. As a result, many pharaohs would have the tombs of their ancestors looted, in some cases even reusing the items for their own burial. A perk of being the ones who set the rules, this tomb raiding practise by nobility was tolerated in the ancient Egyptian world.
However, tomb raiding from individuals not directly related to the deceased wasn’t as much and it carried some rather harsh penalties. In regards to the kind of death penalty meted out to thieves, it was common practise to burn them alive. To discourage theft, the punishment for robbing a tomb was severe.
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Why Treasure Was Hidden Inside
The ancient Egyptians believed that when a Pharaoh died, he would need all his personal things in the next life - food, furniture, clothes, jewellery, and especially gold. Gold was not just used because it was valuable - ancient Egyptians believed gold was magical. Its bright yellow colour made people think of the Sun, and the Sun was linked to Ra, the supreme god who gave light and life to the world. Gold was called “the flesh of the gods,” and using it in tombs and treasures helped connect the Pharaoh to Ra. They hoped it would help him live forever, just like the eternal Sun.
Food and drinks, such as bread, fruits and wine, were there too, so the Pharaoh would never be hungry or thirsty. The walls were decorated with colourful paintings and writings telling stories about the Pharaoh’s life and magical spells to keep him safe.
The Aftermath of Tomb Raiding
Stealing from a Pharaoh’s tomb was a very serious crime and was forbidden. But sometimes thieves got caught robbing tombs and were punished very harshly. Ancient Egyptian records, like the famous Tomb Robbers Papyrus (from 1110 BCE) talk about court cases where robbers admitted to breaking into royal tombs, such as that of King Ramesses VI.
Despite these measures, protections often failed. Many pyramids, including the Great Pyramid constructed for the pharaoh Khufu, were robbed in antiquity or the Middle Ages (circa A.D. 500 to 1500). During the 18th dynasty (circa 1550 to 1295 B.C.), the Egyptians stopped building royal pyramids and instead buried pharaohs within the Valley of the Kings, a decision which may have made it easier to guard the tombs.
While the pyramids and tombs of ancient Egypt may not have been the death-trap-laden fortresses of popular fiction, the Egyptians did employ clever and effective methods to protect their dead and their treasures. These protective measures may not have involved intricate booby traps, but they were designed with the same goal: to prevent the desecration of the pharaohs' final resting places.
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