by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 9:29 AM ET, Tue November 14, 2017
Movies, cartoons and books have all portrayed the calamities that could befall those who dare disturb the resting places of ancient Egyptians, particularly the pharaohs.
Those curses, ranging from bad luck to disease and death, have not stopped hordes of curious tourists from visiting the country's tombs over the past century or more.
Now intrepid travelers will have a new opportunity to face down such intimidating legends.
For the first time in 30 years, the officially named "cursed tombs," which contain the bodies of the workers who built the Great Pyramid of Giza, are being opened to the public, according to Lonely Planet.
Located in a tribal mountain area, the tombs in question date back to Egypt's fourth dynasty, which lasted from 2694 to 2513 BC.
The description of this particular resting place as cursed is far more than colorful exaggeration.
Egypt's preeminent archaeologist, Zahi Hawass, wrote in his book, Valley of the Golden Mummies, that the tombs contain a warning that read in part: "all people who enter this tomb will make evil against this tomb and destroy it, may the crocodile be against them in water and snakes against them on land."
For those not familiar with the history behind the Pyramids of Giza, they were constructed by massive teams of workers numbering in the tens of thousands.
The newly opened tombs contain the remains of these workers, as well as the remains of a man named Nefer Theth, who was the royal palace supervisor and supervisor of the workers.
It is believed that Theth filled the 4,500-year-old grave with curses to protect the dead from thieves.
Theth's own tomb has two fake doors and well-preserved inscriptions on the walls, according to The Sun.
The press office for the Ministry of Antiquities of Egypt shared (via Instagram)news that the tombs will now be open to the public. The hope is that opening the site will boost local tourism.
Yet another tomb now being opened to the public is that of Egyptian Prince Khufu Khaf, who was the son of King Khufu.
Enter if you dare.
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