By Tutankhamun's bandages!

The curse of the invisible enemy: Fungi, spores and science over myth

Abstract

Just over a century ago, in 1922, when the tomb of the young Pharaoh Tutankhamun was discovered and first opened in Egypt, little was known about the health risks of entering ancient, enclosed spaces without protective measures, such as masks, filters, or air and soil analysis. The subsequent deaths of some of those involved gave rise to the famous "Curse of Tutankhamun",  a legend associated with those who dared to disturb his tomb. Beyond supernatural explanations, this article explores, from a scientific perspective, another possible invisible enemy behind the myth: fungal spores, a remarkably patient reproductive strategy of fungi capable of remaining "dormant" for more than 3,000 years until suitable conditions arise.