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

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

: Even the earliest Predynastic tombs were plundered for their treasures. Short History of Tomb-Raiding: The Epic Hunt fo...

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 : In the 9th century, Arab ruler Ibn

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the birth of modern archaeology, though the line between "scholar" and "raider" remained blurred. While modern cinema often paints tomb raiding as

: 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.