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

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

: 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 Short History of Tomb-Raiding: The Epic Hunt fo...

: Egyptian builders constantly innovated to outsmart thieves, moving from conspicuous pyramids to hidden tombs in the Valley of the Kings and using massive granite blocks to seal entrances. 2. The Professionalization of Looting The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw

: In the 9th century, Arab ruler Ibn Tulun established guilds of "seekers" ( mutalibun ) who were actually taxed on their finds. Short History of Tomb-Raiding: The Epic Hunt fo...