The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the birth of modern archaeology, though the line between "scholar" and "raider" remained blurred.
: Many early modern hunts were steeped in the supernatural, with "expert magicians" hired to locate treasure and communicate with guarding spirits like ghosts or djinns. Short History of Tomb-Raiding: The Epic Hunt fo...
: In the 9th century, Arab ruler Ibn Tulun established guilds of "seekers" ( mutalibun ) who were actually taxed on their finds. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw
Tomb robbing is as old as the pyramids themselves. In Ancient Egypt, burial was not just a farewell; it was a transition to the afterlife, requiring the deceased to be surrounded by their worldly possessions. This concentrated wealth acted as a magnetic pull for thieves, often within hours of interment. Tomb robbing is as old as the pyramids themselves
: Even the earliest Predynastic tombs were plundered for their treasures.
A Short History of Tomb-Raiding: The Epic Hunt for Egypt's Treasures