The 'Unlucky Mummy' at the British Museum: A Cursed Plank?

The British Museum in London houses over a million artifacts, but only one percent is on public view. Among the displayed items is a curious object often called the 'Unlucky Mummy' – a wooden and plaster mummy-board from ancient Thebes, dating to around 950–900 BC.

Despite its nickname, it is not an actual mummy wrapped in bandages but a painted board depicting an unidentified woman. Nevertheless, its reputation for bringing bad luck is well-known.

According to stories, the board was purchased in Egypt by a group of English tourists in the late 19th century. Two of them died or were severely injured in shooting accidents, and the rest died in poverty. The object then passed to a relative, whose household suffered a series of unfortunate events.

In the 1880s, the famous clairvoyant Madame Helena Blavatsky warned the owners of its malevolent nature, leading to its acquisition by the museum. The most famous tale links the board to the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. It is said that the mummy-board was aboard the ship on its maiden voyage, and its curse caused the ocean liner to strike an iceberg, resulting in over 1,500 deaths.

While these claims lack evidence, the 'Unlucky Mummy' remains a popular exhibit for those fascinated by the supernatural and historical mysteries.