Buzz
Superstition and magic find little place in science. Historically, no scientific problem has ever been solved through magical means, whereas the opposite occurs frequently.
Archaeology might be an exception. Even the most rational archaeologists might admit that certain ancient relics appear to possess an almost supernatural resistance to being taken from their rightful places.
10. Ballista Balls
In the late 1980s, on the border between Israel and Syria, workers discovered hundreds of ancient proto-cannonballs used by the Roman Empire to breach enemy defenses. Historical accounts reveal that the Romans conquered the city of Gamla after demolishing its walls, leading 9,000 residents to leap into the gorge below to escape capture.
The disappearance of the artifacts went unnoticed until 2015, when two ballista balls mysteriously showed up in a museum courtyard. A note accompanied them, confessing they had been stolen in 1995 and explaining their return: “These are two Roman ballista balls from Gamla, taken from a residential area near the summit. I stole them in July 1995, and they have caused me nothing but misfortune. Please, do not steal antiquities!”
9. Pompeian Relics
Legend has it that Pompeii was cursed by the gods following the destruction of sacred sites by Roman soldiers. Massimo Osanna, Pompeii’s archaeological superintendent, receives around 100 packages annually, containing items ranging from mosaic tiles to fresco fragments and even statues, often accompanied by letters detailing the misfortunes faced after stealing them.
A thief from Spain returned five packages of artifacts, attributing a family curse to his actions. Mr. Osanna is contemplating an exhibition titled “What I Brought Back From Pompeii,” featuring these letters. A fitting subtitle might be: “Far More Than I Bargained For.”
8. Ring Of Senicianus
The Ring of Senicianus, unearthed in the late 18th century and now held by the National Trust, is a massive 12-gram gold ring designed to fit only a gloved thumb. It features a unique design with the Latin phrase, “Senicianus Live Well in God.” Decades after its discovery, a Roman tablet was found, written by a man named Silvianus, who pleaded to the god Nodens for the return of his stolen ring. The tablet’s inscription reads: “To none named Senicianus grant health until the ring is returned to Nodens’ temple.”
These details might ring a bell, as Oxford professor and budding author J.R.R. Tolkien drew inspiration from this cursed ring for a famous literary work. The ring is often exhibited alongside a first edition of The Hobbit, with visitors encouraged to decide if it could indeed be The One Ring To Rule Them All.
7. Maori Whalebone Whip Handle
Captain James Reddy Clendon was one of the earliest European settlers in New Zealand. He played a key role in bridging communication between the Maori people and European colonists, served as chairman of New Zealand’s first bank, and became the first US Consul to the nation. Clendon House in Rawene honors his legacy by displaying his possessions and artifacts, many of which are of Maori origin. As one unfortunate thief learned, nearly all Maori artifacts come with a curse if mishandled.
The stolen item, a whalebone whip handle belonging to Captain Clendon’s eldest son, was returned to Clendon House within a month of being taken. It was handed over by an associate of the thief, who had apparently endured enough of the misfortunes that followed the theft. No legal action was taken. Rawene Police Constable Jeff Cramp remarked, “The person who took it... Every time they stub their toe, they’ll feel like the world is collapsing around them.”
6. Egyptian Carving
In 2004, an unnamed German man stole a hieroglyphic carving during a trip to Egypt. The artifact was later returned to an Egyptian embassy in Berlin by the man’s stepson, as the man himself was unable to do so. He had passed away.
Soon after his return, the man experienced unexplained paralysis, fevers, and a sudden onset of cancer that led to his death. The carving was returned in hopes of bringing peace to his soul and, perhaps more practically, to clear his family of any divine retribution. The embassy verified the artifact’s authenticity and likely ensured it was kept far from their premises.
5. Rocks From Gettysburg Battlefield
Similar to Pompeii, Gettysburg National Park receives numerous packages each year containing stolen twigs, rocks, and other souvenirs, accompanied by letters detailing the misfortunes believed to be caused by a curse. One sender described suffering a workplace injury, multiple surgeries, and a broken relationship. Another lost his wife, son, and home before serving a nine-year prison sentence.
Park rangers kindly remind visitors that, while taking a piece of history might seem appealing, it’s best to leave these artifacts undisturbed.
4. Virginia City Cemetery Headstones
Established in 1867 to address the issue of haphazard burials, the cemetery in Virginia City, Nevada, has experienced numerous headstone thefts since its reopening as a historic site in 2000. However, many of these stolen headstones have since been returned in large numbers.
Candace Wheeler, the grounds manager, reached out to the thieves to understand their motives. She discovered that the headstones were being used for ordinary purposes—such as doorstops or garden ornaments—until a series of misfortunes struck, including financial troubles, divorces, and even deaths. The thieves were eager to ensure the headstones were returned to their original graves, hoping this would lift the curse.
3. Petrified Forest Rocks
At Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park, the allure of taking home a souvenir is strong, given the abundance of petrified wood. Rangers refer to one large collection as the “conscience pile,” consisting of items returned by remorseful thieves over the years.
Two writers uncovered over 1,200 letters accompanying these returned items, some dating back to 1934. They compiled around 50 of the most remarkable letters into a book, ranging from those plagued by guilt to others who experienced bizarre misfortunes. For example:
“After returning home, my stepmother was diagnosed with kidney failure, our dog passed away, I narrowly avoided a serious car accident, our truck needed major repairs, our cat died, and we were evacuated due to a gas well explosion. Please take these pieces back before more bad luck strikes.” It seems ancient trees can wield curses as potent as those from Roman, Maori, or Egyptian lore.
2. The Vigango
The Gohu, an ancient male society within a Kenyan tribe, are known for crafting intricate hardwood carvings called Vigango. These carvings honor the deceased and are believed to house their spirits. While Western collectors value Vigango as art and pay high prices for stolen pieces, the curse affects not the thieves but the tribe itself.
Vigango require regular offerings and must never be moved from their original locations. In 1999, an anthropology researcher discovered that missing Vigango were blamed for a prolonged drought and the untimely deaths of tribe members. After years of legal efforts, the stolen pieces were returned to a Kenyan museum, which placed them in metal cages to prevent future thefts.
1. Native American Artifacts Of Blanding
Since its establishment in 1905 by Mormon settlers, Blanding, Utah, has gained fame for its wealth of Anasazi artifacts. As a child in the 1950s, local archaeologist Winston Hurst could easily find pottery fragments, arrowheads, and other relics scattered on the ground. By the 1960s, however, residents began excavating deeper, sometimes using heavy machinery to uncover treasures. Hurst viewed this as looting and desecration, leading to conflicts with friends who continued to collect and sell these artifacts.
In 1986, an FBI raid confiscated over 900 artifacts illegally taken from public lands. While this curbed collecting, it didn’t stop the trade, especially with the rise of the internet. Then, in 2009, 150 FBI agents descended on the small town.
Several prominent citizens were arrested for trafficking stolen antiquities, including the sheriff’s brother and local physician Jim Redd—a childhood friend of Hurst who had joined him on artifact-hunting trips years earlier. Redd took his own life the following day, and two others connected to the case died by suicide within months.
