Did Ancient Tombs Really Have Traps Inside? (Video)
The concept of ancient tombs being riddled with traps and dangers is one that has been popularized by movies, video games, and other forms of pop culture, but it begs the question: did they really exist?
While the idea of rolling boulders, shooting darts, and poisonous snakes may be more fiction than fact, some ancient civilizations did go to great lengths to protect the tombs of their rulers. For example, the tombs of the Pharaohs in ancient Egypt were often designed with hidden doors, false walls, decoy rooms, and labyrinthine corridors to confuse and deter would-be robbers. Many other cultures, including the Maya and the Inca, also employed various methods of tomb protection, including filling a precious tomb with toxic powder!
In addition to these physical traps, some tombs were also protected by spells and curses. The ancient Egyptians believed in the power of magic and the afterlife, and as such, many tombs contained inscriptions and spells designed to protect the dead and their treasures.
Top image: A false door at Angkor Banteay Srey temple in Cambodia. Source: TMAX / Adobe Stock
