Short History Of Tomb-raiding: The Epic Hunt Fo... May 2026

: 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

By the medieval and early modern periods, tomb raiding became more systematic. Short History of Tomb-Raiding: The Epic Hunt fo...

: Many early modern hunts were steeped in the supernatural, with "expert magicians" hired to locate treasure and communicate with guarding spirits like ghosts or djinns. : In the early 19th century, figures like

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the birth of modern archaeology, though the line between "scholar" and "raider" remained blurred. : Many early modern hunts were steeped in

A Short History of Tomb-Raiding: The Epic Hunt for Egypt's Treasures

: Even the earliest Predynastic tombs were plundered for their treasures.

: In the 9th century, Arab ruler Ibn Tulun established guilds of "seekers" ( mutalibun ) who were actually taxed on their finds.