Short History Of Tomb-raiding: The Epic Hunt Fo... Link

: Because tombs were seen as vehicles to the afterlife, robbing them was considered sacrilegious. Legal documents from the 20th Dynasty (1189–1077 B.C.E.) detail trials of gangs who pillaged rock-cut tombs in Thebes.

: 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...

: 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 : Because tombs were seen as vehicles to

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

By the medieval and early modern periods, tomb raiding became more systematic.

A Short History of Tomb-Raiding: The Epic Hunt for Egypt's Treasures