The Mummy's Curse - Session 5 - Hopes and Fears

In the fifth session of "The Mummy's Curse," students delve into the historical context of Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter's quest to uncover the tomb of Tutankhamun. The focus of this session is on the emotional landscape of these two prominent figures in Egyptology on the eve of what could be their final day of searching, November 4th. Students are encouraged to contemplate and document what hopes and fears might have occupied the minds of Carnarvon and Carter as they stood on the threshold of potentially making one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of their time—or facing the possibility of their quest ending in disappointment.

The worksheet provided for the session is designed to help students empathise with the historical characters and explore their aspirations and anxieties in a structured manner. Under the heading "Hopes and Fears," there are two sections, one for each of the explorers, where students can record their thoughts. In the "Hopes" section, students might imagine the anticipation and excitement of uncovering ancient treasures and gaining historical insights, while in the "Fears" section, they could consider the apprehension about the potential for failure, the unknown risks of the excavation, or the legendary curse said to protect the pharaoh's resting place. This exercise not only aids in understanding the motivations and concerns of the past but also serves as a way to engage with the human aspect of historical exploration.