A Canadian tourist who stole parts of an amphora and ceramic fragments from the ancient archaeological site of Pompeii has returned the items after blaming them for 15 years of bad luck.
The tourist is believed to have sent the ancient fragments to a travel agent in Pompeii declaring the objects are 'cursed'. Inside the package was a letter confessing her actions. In the letter she said:
"Please, take them back, they bring bad luck."
It appears the woman, known as 'Nicole', visited Pompeii in her early 20s in 2005, however, the years that followed were apparently ravaged with horrible events, including her being diagnosed with breast-cancer on two occasions and suffering financial ruin.
In the letter, Nicole, now 36, went on to say:
"I am now 36 and had breast cancer twice. The last time ending in a double mastectomy. My family and I also had financial problems. We're good people and I don't want to pass this curse on to my family or children."
She added that the relics contain:
"So much negative energy … linked to that land of destruction."
In the year 79 AD, Pompeii was destroyed and buried under ash and lava when the Vesuvius volcano erupted. While most inhabitants were able to escape, around 1,000 people died and were buried along with their homes and belongings. Due to the preservative nature of the ash that fell on top of the town, the site lay as an archaeological site that shows great insight into day-to-day life in Ancient Rome. It is now visited by millions of tourists every year.
Thefts by tourists at the site are not uncommon, though authorities do attempt to keep pilfering to a minimum.
Nicole is not the first person either to believe they have been cursed by a theft from Pompeii. A couple who stole from the site, also in 2005 and from Canada, returned their stolen items along with a note that read:
"We took them without thinking of the pain and suffering these poor souls experienced during the eruption of Vesuvius and their terrible death. We are sorry, please forgive us for making this terrible choice. May their souls rest in peace."
While there might not be much scientific evidence backing up misfortune between ancient items and modern day calamity, there have been a number of similar famous tragedies linked to the discovery of ancient objects. Famously after the headpiece of King Tutankhamun was discovered, those involved in the discovery suffered a whole range of unexpected events. Of the 58 people who opened his tomb 8 were to die within 12 years. Other events, such as unexplained fires and mechanical breakdown also seemed to occur wherever the King's headpiece was displayed.
COMMENTS