The Curse of the Pharaohs

Back in the early 1920s, the world was captivated by King Tutt when British archaeologist Howard Carter uncovered the young Pharaoh's tomb in Egypt's Valley of the Kings in 1922. It wasn't just the gold and jewelry that caught the public's attention. The Press also sensationalized the curse of the Pharaohs. But was it really true? Was an ancient curse the reason why everyone who entered the pyramids met an untimely end? This was the only explanation for a string of mysterious deaths. George Herbert, the Earl of Carnarvon, lived for only five more months after the discovery. He had sponsored the dig along with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the famous English writer behind Sherlock Holmes. Doyle even claimed that an evil Elemental caused the Explorer's death. Was he serious? Unfortunately, yes. The newspapers continued to blame the Pharaoh's curse every time an Egyptologist passed away. These were the scientists who studied the ancient cultures of Egypt. The archaeologist who opened King Tutt's tomb didn't die until 17 years later, and the reason wasn't a secret - Hodgkin's disease. Yet, journalists worldwide kept talking about a curse. It was becoming absurd. But surely science had a logical explanation, right? Well, it did. The explanation was common mold - harmful fungi like aspergillus that can survive for ages in sealed tombs. When humans inhale them, there's a high risk of infection, especially for those with weakened immune systems. Today, doctors believe this is what happened to the unfortunate Explorer over a century ago. Scientists now understand that this type of fungi thrives on grain, and King Tutt's tomb was filled with offerings in the form of baskets of raw grain and bread. Researchers even found other types of fungi.

The molds found in ancient Egyptian mummies can have serious consequences for humans. Rotting organic material is a real danger. Just take a look inside your fridge - any food leftovers start to spoil after just 3 to 4 days. Imagine what happens to food in a sealed chamber after thousands of years. Food is not the only organic material affected; wood exposed to water or moisture in the air deteriorates as well. You don't need to go to Egypt to witness this process - any abandoned building in your neighborhood can show you. Wet wood that can't dry out is prone to damage from fungi and wood-boring insects. Rotten wood poses a significant structural issue, as beams and floor panels are typically made of timber. So, it's best to avoid entering a failing building to prevent accidents. This is just the beginning, as building materials have evolved since ancient times, but so have the risks. Asbestos is a prime example - once commonly used in home insulation materials until it was banned in the late 20th century due to its health hazards when damaged.

Abandoned structures are filled with this material and there is no one to upkeep them. You can now see the danger. Another material commonly found in old buildings is lead. Ancient Romans used lead piping to transport spring water into their homes. They even cooked in lead vessels, which was probably not the smartest choice. Lead and water do not mix well due to corrosion. However, officials only banned lead piping in 1986. This means that 7% of American households still have lead service lines, which is not the only source of poisoning. Until the mid-1960s, builders used lead paint to cover woodwork in abandoned buildings. This lead paint has chipped away over time. Anyone who touches doors and windows in these buildings will disturb the lead dust and inhale it. The dust particles are visible to the naked eye, unlike carbon monoxide, which is colorless and odorless. There is no way to detect a carbon monoxide leak. Poor maintenance allows this dangerous gas to escape. Abandoned buildings have no maintenance, so one moment you could be exploring an old factory and the next feel dizzy with a terrible headache. These are just some of the symptoms of CO poisoning. All it takes is for an old boiler to finally break down after years of neglect.

We've come across a crucial question: what is the primary factor affecting air quality indoors? If you guessed oxygen levels, think again. Surprisingly, oxygen levels only decrease by 0.3% in 8 hours in a sealed room. The real issue is the rise in carbon dioxide levels due to human breathing. This waste gas can make you feel drowsy and affect your ability to think clearly, as shown in a study by Harvard researchers. Remember, trespassing is a serious offense in the United States, so be cautious when exploring abandoned buildings.

If you happened to come across a rat, it would definitely startle you. However, the poor animal would also be scared and might even bite you. Rats carry a long list of diseases, and their teeth can cause damage as they constantly grow. To prevent overgrowth, rats need to nibble on something constantly. If you ever feel hungry at 1:00 a.m., you know the feeling! Rats love to chew on electric cables, which can be dangerous. Abandoned buildings often have old wiring, which is risky. Structures built before 1984 used aluminum wires, but today copper is the standard due to safety reasons. Flipping a switch in a rundown building can be life-threatening, so be alert for signs of electrical issues like flickering lights, sparks, and the smell of smoke. Don't rely on an earth cable for protection from electrocution, as ground cables only became standard in the 1960s.