: 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
: In the 9th century, Arab ruler Ibn Tulun established guilds of "seekers" ( mutalibun ) who were actually taxed on their finds. Short History of Tomb-Raiding: The Epic Hunt fo...
: Even the earliest Predynastic tombs were plundered for their treasures. : In the early 19th century, figures like
The allure of buried gold has driven humanity to the depths of the earth for millennia. While modern cinema often paints tomb raiding as a high-stakes adventure, the real history is a complex mix of economic desperation, state-sanctioned looting, and the messy evolution of archaeology. 1. Ancient Origins: A Crime Against Eternity : Even the earliest Predynastic tombs were plundered
: 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.
By the medieval and early modern periods, tomb raiding became more systematic.