Episode 3 - Cursed Objects of the Past

In this chilling episode of Unexplained History, host Tom McKenzie takes you on a journey through the eerie and mysterious world of cursed objects. From glittering treasures to everyday items, these artifacts are said to carry dark forces and tragic legacies.

Explore the glittering yet sinister history of the Hope Diamond, a gem rumored to bring misfortune to all who possess it. Delve into the haunting tale of the Dybbuk Box, a modern artifact linked to documented paranormal activity. Uncover the mysteries of the Pharaoh’s Curse, which plagued the discoverers of Tutankhamun’s tomb, and learn about lesser-known cursed items like the Conjured Chest and the Myrtles Plantation Mirror. Each story reveals a mix of historical fact, personal tragedy, and supernatural intrigue.

Whether these curses are real or the product of human superstition, one thing is certain: the chilling stories behind these objects will leave you questioning the unseen forces that shape our world. Tune in to Unexplained History for a spellbinding exploration of cursed objects through the ages.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:10):
Welcome to another journey through the shadows of history. This
is unexplained history, and I'm your guide. Tom mackenzie. Tonight
we unravel the threads of fate that tie us to
the objects we create and cherish, but which seem to
carry something darker, something cursed. Throughout human history, objects have

(00:36):
been imbued with stories, meaning, and power. Most are harmless,
a ring passed down through generations, a simple painting on
a wall. But sometimes these artifacts seem to take on
a life of their own, leaving a trail of misfortune, despair,
and even death in their wake. We delve into the

(01:02):
chilling tales of cursed objects. Is it merely coincidence when
tragedy follows those who possess these items? Or is there
something more sinister at play, a curse born of human emotions,
divine punishment, or horses we dare not comprehend. From the

(01:25):
legendary hope diamond sparkling with the doom of its owners,
to the mysterious Dippock box, a seemingly mundane wine cabinet
with a malevolent occupant, these objects have fascinated and terrified
us for generations. Their stories are steeped in eerie coincidences,

(01:46):
deadly patterns, and chilling whispers of the unknown. Imagine holding
a priceless artifact in your hands, knowing that each person
before you met with tragedy. What would you do? Could

(02:09):
you set it down? Or would curiosity or greed push
you to keep it no matter the cost. In this episode,
we'll uncover the dark histories and uncanny events linked to
some of the world's most infamous cursed objects. From the

(02:32):
opulent courts of royalty to the dusty shelves of modern collectors,
these artifacts have left a mark far beyond their monetary value.
Before we begin, a word of caution. The stories you
are about to hear are not for the faint of heart.

(02:54):
Whether you believe in curses or not, these tales may
leave you questioning the objects that surround you, what secrets
do they hold, and more importantly, what might they bring
into your life. Let us now step into the past,

(03:21):
where glittering treasures and mundane relics alike hold dark and
sinister secrets. This is Episode three Cursed Objects of the Past.

(03:46):
Welcome back to Unexplained History. I'm your host, Tom mackenzie,
and tonight we're diving into the stories of cursed objects
that have left a trail of misfortune in their way.
Don't forget to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or
visit us at unexplained dot co to stay updated on

(04:09):
all things unexplained. Our journey begins with one of the
most famous gemstones in the world, the Hope Diamond. This
stunning forty five carrot blue diamond has captivated imaginations for
centuries with its brilliance and beauty, but behind its glittering

(04:30):
facade lies a tale of misfortune and despair. The story
of the Hope Diamond begins in the depths of India,
mind from the Koler mines of Golconda. It was originally
a much larger stone, a magnificent one hundred twelve carrots,

(04:54):
and was said to be set in the eye of
a sacred statue dedicated to the Hindu goddess Sita. The
diamond's radiance was believed to protect the temple, yet legend
has it that a greedy prieze stole the gem. In
doing so, he incurred the wrath of the gods and
unleashed a powerful curse upon all who would dare to

(05:17):
possess it. In sixteen sixty eight, The gem was brought
to France by the merchant jem Baptiste Tavernier, who marveled
at its beauty and recognized its value. Tavernier sold it
to King Louis the fourteenth, who had it recut to

(05:38):
enhance its brilliance, renaming it the Blue Diamond of the Crown.
Tavernier's fortune, however, would be short lived. Historical accounts claimed
that he was mauled to death by wild dogs on
a journey through Russia. Was this merely a tragic accident,

(06:02):
or did the curse strike its first victim outside of India.
For a time, the diamond radiated nothing but prestige and power.
Louis the fourteenth wore it as a symbol of divine right,
becoming a treasured peace of the French crown Jewels. But

(06:24):
as history marched forward, so too did the shadow of misfortune.
Louis the sixteenth and Marie Antoinette, who inherited the diamond,
were swept into the chaos of the French Revolution. Both
were imprisoned and ultimately met their fates at the guillotine.
The diamond vanished amidst the looting of the Royal treasury.

(06:48):
Its whereabouts unknown for decades. Decades later, the diamond re
so Turst in England, where it was acquired by the
prominent banker Henry Philip Hope, lending the gem its enduring name. Yet,

(07:09):
even under the care of the wealthy Hope family, the
diamond's dark reputation grew financial ruin. Family scandals and premature
deaths plagued the Hope lineage, forcing the sale of the
diamond to settle deaths. It passed through a series of owners,
each reportedly suffering from disastrous consequences, suicides, failed businesses, and

(07:36):
mysterious illnesses. In the early twentieth century, the diamond's infamy
reached new heights when it came into the possession of
American socialite Evelyn Walsh maclan. Evelyn dismissed the curse as
mere superstition, proudly wearing the diamond to social events, but

(08:01):
tragedy seemed to follow her at every turn. Her young
son died in a horrific car accident, her daughter succumbed
to a drug overdose, and her husband's business empire collapsed,
resulting in his institutionalization. Evelyn herself died in near isolation,
leaving behind a legacy entwined with sorrow. Finally, in nine

(08:34):
fifty eight, the Hope Diamond was donated to the Smithsonian
Institution by famed jeweler Harry Winston. Winston sent the priceless
gem in a plain brown package through the US Postal
Service in an almost anti climactic twist. At the Smithsonian,
the diamond became a centerpiece of the museum's collection, dazzling
millions of visitors. But even in its display case, stories

(08:58):
of strange occurrences and unexplained misfortunes continue circulating among staff
and visitors alike. Even the journey to the Smithsonian had
its strange occurrences. Postal workers reportedly spoke of odd sensations
when handling the package. While no official records of injuries exist,

(09:23):
a few accounts suggest a heightened sense of unease and
paranoia surrounding the delivery process. Coincidence, perhaps, or maybe the
curse continued its silent work. Over the years, The Smithsonian
has seen its share of oddities surrounding the diamond. Custodial

(09:46):
staff have reported strange sounds in the gallery, from faint
whispers to sudden, unexplainable thuds. One guard swears he saw
a shadowy figure near the display case late one night,
only to find a gallery empty upon investigation, What is

(10:08):
it about the Hope Diamond that draws such stories. Some
theorists suggest the power of belief that the legend of
the curse amplifies natural misfortunes. Others, more spiritually inclined, argue
that the diamond's theft from sacred ground imbute it with
a karmic force that seeks balance through suffering. Some have

(10:36):
turned to mysticism for answers. Stories abound of psychics who
claim to feel a dark energy emanating from the diamond,
describing sensations of cold, dread, and an overwhelming presence when
in its vicinity. Legends even suggest that the diamond's original purpose,

(10:56):
set within a sacred idol, might have served as a
con into it for divine energy, which turned malignant when
removed from its rightful place. In nineteen seventy four, a
little publicized experiment involved a medium who claimed to communicate

(11:18):
with spirits tied to the diamond during a seance. The
medium allegedly described visions of blood soaked hands and a
haunting chant in an unknown language, While no tangible evidence
emerged from the event, Those present reported an eerie chill
and a sense of foreboding. The Hope Diamond's reputation as

(11:48):
a cursed artifact has also inspired countless fictional accounts, often
blurring the line between reality and myth. In popular culture,
its portrayed as a magnet for doom, a symbol of
hubris punished by fate. These stories further cement its legacy,

(12:09):
turning it into a touchstone for those fascinated by the
interplay of wealth, power, and misfortune. Interestingly, not all believe
the diamond is malevolent. Some spiritualists argue that its energy
is merely misunderstood. They claim that its supposed curse could

(12:33):
reflect the emotional turmoil of its owners. To those who
approach it with reverence and respect, they say, the diamond
might even offer protection. Scientific explanations have also been offered
for the diamond storied misfortunes. Some researchers argue that the

(12:56):
events linked to the gem are simply coincidences magnified by
its fame. Others suggest that the psychological weight of owning
such an object could lead to stress and poor decision making,
indirectly resulting in misfortune. In other words, the curse could

(13:20):
be entirely man made. Another fascinating theory involves the diamond's
unique properties. Its deep blue color comes from traces of
boron within its structure, a rare element known to conduct electricity.

(13:41):
Could this quality somehow affect its surroundings in subtle, unknown ways.
While there is no scientific consensus, the idea has intrigued
those who believe that the Hope Diamond holds secrets beyond
our understanding. Is the Hope Diamond truly cursed or has

(14:10):
its legend grown out of coincidence, tragedy, and the human
fascination with the macabre. Some experts argue that the stories
are myths, while others believe that the diamond's turbulent history
speaks for itself. Whatever the truth may be, the allure
of the Hope Diamond remains undeniable, as does the heavy

(14:33):
price seemingly paid by those who dared to own it.
Join me as we continue to uncover the dark histories
of cursed objects. Next, we examine a modern artifact that
has sent shivers down the spines of those who dared

(14:56):
to own it, the Dibbock Box. Up next, I'm Tom
McKenzie and you are listening to Unexplained History, a show
dedicated to the subjects they won't teach you in school.

Speaker 2 (15:14):
We will be right back after the break.

Speaker 1 (15:33):
Welcome back to Unexplained History, the podcast where we uncover
the dark and mysterious corners of the past. I'm your host,
Tom McKenzie, and tonight we're diving into the stories of
cursed objects that have left a trail of misfortune in
their wake. Don't forget to subscribe on your favorite podcast

(15:57):
platform or visit us at unexplained dot com co to
stay updated on all things unexplained. Some cursed objects are
steeped in centuries old law, their stories passed down through generations,
but others are modern, their dark reputations forged in our

(16:20):
own time. Tonight we'd turn our attention to the Dibbock Box,
a seemingly mundane wine cabinet that has become one of
the most infamous haunted artifacts of the twenty first century.

(16:42):
The dibik Box first came to public attention in two
thousand and one when it was listed for sale on
eBay by a man named Kevin Mannus. In the listing,
Manus described the box as a small, wooden cabinet purchased
at an estate sale. It had belonged to a Holocaust
survivor who had brought it to the United States from Poland.

(17:05):
Manus claimed the seller had warned him never to open
the box as it contained a dibuk, a restless malevolent
spirit from Jewish folklore. Ignoring the warning, Manus opened the
box and discovered several curious items inside. Two locks of

(17:27):
hair tied with string, a small granite slab engraved with
Hebrew letters, a dried rosebud, and a golden goblet. Almost immediately,
strange occurrences began to unfold. Manus described vivid nightmares of
a demonic figure attacking him, only to discover that others

(17:47):
who spent time near the box experienced the same disturbing dreams.
But the nightmares were just the beginning. Manus reported unacted
explainable phenomena, lights flickering, strange smells of jasmine and cat
urine filling the air, and objects moving on their own.

(18:10):
After a particularly terrifying incident where he claimed to see
shadowy figures lurking in his home, Manus decided to sell
the box, believing it to be cursed. The eBay listing
quickly went viral, with Manus describing the box's sinister reputation

(18:31):
in detail. It was eventually purchased by a college student
named Ajoseph Natzky, who soon began experiencing his own misfortunes.
Nietzsky's health deteriorated inexplicably, and electronic devices in his home
malfunctioned without cause. Terrified, he too passed the box on

(18:58):
to another owner. The box's most famous owner, Jason Haxton,
a museum director, acquired it after hearing of its reputation.
Haxton's account added even more chilling details to the Dibbuk
boxes legend. He reported strange illnesses, including coughing up blood

(19:22):
and mysterious skin rashes. Like its previous owners, Haxton also
experienced disturbing nightmares and poltergeist like activity. In an effort
to contain the box's power, he consulted with rabbis and
attempted to reseal it, burying it in a secret location

(19:43):
for several years. Oh but what exactly is adbuk and
how does it tie into Jewish folklore? According to tradition,
a dibbuk is a disembodied spirit, often malevolent, that latches

(20:06):
onto the living to complete unfinished business or exact vengeance.
Rituals to expel dibukim have been documented for centuries, involving prayers, fasting,
and exorcisms performed by learned rabbis. The Dibbock Box, if genuine,
represents a modern manifestation of this ancient belief Skeptics, of course,

(20:35):
have dismissed the Dibbock Box as a clever hoax, pointing
out inconsistencies in the stories and a lack of physical evidence.
Some believe the tale was fabricated by Kevin Manus to
sell the box, citing his background as a writer and filmmaker.
Manus himself has given conflicting accounts over the years, alternately

(20:55):
claiming that the box's curse is real and that he
invented the entire story. Yet the experiences of those who
have owned the Dibbock Box remain difficult to dismiss entirely.
Could the power of suggestion be responsible for the string
of misfortunes, or is it possible that the box truly

(21:19):
harbors something dark and inexplicable. To this day, the Dibbock
Box continues to fascinate and Terrify now housed in the
Haunted Museum in Las Vegas, where visitors report feeling an
overwhelming sense of dread when standing near it. Further fueling

(21:47):
its mystique are reports from museum visitors who claim to
have experienced its curse firsthand. From inexplicable feelings of nausea
and dizziness to sudden panic attacks, seems to affect those
who approach it, even through the protective glass of its
display case. Skeptics might argue these symptoms are psychosomatic, but

(22:10):
for believers, they add to the box's sinister reputation. In
twenty twenty one, a documentary crew spent the night near
the Dippock Box attempting to capture paranormal activity. They reported

(22:32):
hearing whispering voices and recording unexplained fluctuations in electromagnetic fields
around the box. Their footage, though inconclusive, became yet another
chapter in the growing legend of this haunted artifact. Is

(22:56):
the Dippoic Box a genuine artifact of paranormal or simply
a cautionary tale about the dangers of belief and imagination.
Whatever the truth, its story serves as a chilling reminder
of how the past can haunt the present in ways
both literal and symbolic. If you want to learn more

(23:26):
about the dibbock Box and other strange devices that contact
the unknown realms, visit Aftermath dot media and check out
our archives. Next, we travel back in time to ancient

(23:50):
Egypt to explore a curse shrouded in golden splendor and
shadowed by tragedy. Join me as we uncover the legend
of the Pharaoh's Curse, a tale that begins with the
discovery of Tutan Kamun's tomb and the mysterious fate of
those who dared to disturb it. Welcome back to Unexplained History,

(24:38):
the podcast where we uncover the dark and mysterious corners
of the past. I'm your host, Tom mackenzie, and tonight
we're diving into the stories of cursed objects that have
left a trail of misfortune in their wake. Don't forget
to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or visit us

(25:00):
at Unexplained dot co to stay updated on all things unexplained.
Of all the curses whispered through the annals of history,
few have captured the public's imagination like the Pharaoh's Curse.
Rooted in the sands of ancient Egypt. This legend has

(25:21):
transcended time, warning of dire consequences for those who dare
disturb the eternal rest of a king. Tonight we delve
into the chilling tale of the discovery of Tutankamun's tomb
and the mysteries that followed. The story begins in nineteen

(25:47):
twenty two, when archaeologist Howard Carter uncovered the tomb of
Pharaoh Tutan commun in the Valley of the Kings. Funded
by his patron, Lord Carnarvon, Carter's discovery was hailed as
one of the greatest archaeological finds of all time. The

(26:09):
tomb's treasures were unparalleled, a golden sarcophagus surrounded by a
wealth of artifacts meant to accompany the young king into
the afterlife. But from the moment the tomb was opened,
whispers of a curse began to spread. According to legend,

(26:33):
a warning inscribed near the entrance read death shall come
on swift wings to him who disturbs the peace of
the King. Though no such inscription was officially recorded, the
idea of a curse took hold as tragedy struck those

(26:56):
connected to the excavation. The first and most infamous victim
was Lord Carnarvan himself. Just months after the tomb's opening,
he fell gravely ill from an infected mosquito bite. The
infection led to blood poisoning, and he died in Cairo

(27:18):
at the age of fifty seven. Reports claimed that at
the exact moment of his death, the lights in Cairo
flickered and went out. Meanwhile, back in England, his beloved
dog supposedly howled and dropped dead at the same time.

(27:42):
Lord Carnarvan's death sparked a media frenzy, with newspapers worldwide
attributing his demise to the Pharaoh's curse. Soon other deaths
and misfortunes were linked to those who had entered the tomb.
Arthur Mace, a member of Carter's excavation team, succumbed to

(28:05):
sudden and unexplained illnesses. Evelyn White, another team member, reportedly
took his own life, leaving a chilling note claiming he
had been haunted since entering the tomb. George J. Gould,
a wealthy financier and avid traveler, visited the tomb and

(28:28):
soon fell ill with a fever. Despite the best medical efforts,
he passed away shortly after returning home. His death added
another link in the chain of tragedies surrounding the tomb. Meanwhile,
Hugh Evelyn White, another archaeologist, became increasingly paranoid. He is

(28:52):
said to have scrawled the words I have succumbed to
a curse in his final letter before taking his life,
his mind seemingly overtaken by fear and despair. Howard Carter himself,

(29:13):
despite dismissing the curse, publicly noted unsettling phenomena. In his
private journals. He documented the mysterious death of his pet canary,
killed by a cobra, a symbol of protection and vengeance
in ancient Egypt, just days after the tomb's opening. Carter

(29:34):
also wrote of experiencing oppressive silence and inexplicable shadows moving
in the periphery of his vision when working late inside
the burial chamber. The tragedies extended beyond Carter's immediate circle.

(29:54):
Ali Faimi Bay, a local Egyptian dignitary who visited the tomb,
was shot dead in London shortly afterward under bizarre circumstances.
Richard Bethel, Carter's secretary, died of what was described as
acute circulatory collapse under mysterious conditions. His father, Lord Westbury,

(30:21):
leaped to his death from a building shortly after inheriting
artifacts linked to the tomb. Lord Westbury left a note
declaring his life cursed by the treasures of Teuton Commune.

(30:45):
In another chilling account, Sir Archibald Douglas Read, the radiologist
who x rayed the mummy of Teuton Comun, died of
a sudden illness not long after conducting his examinations. Workers
involved in transporting the tomb's artifacts to the Cairo Museum
spoke of near fatal accidents, including overturned trucks and inexplicably

(31:11):
failing brakes. The curses reach even extended to the wives
and family members of those involved. Lady Carnarvon, Lord Carnarvon's widow,
reportedly experienced a series of bizarre health problems following her
husband's death. She spoke of recurring nightmares where she was

(31:34):
confronted by a figure wearing the burial mask of Tutonkmun
standing silently at the foot of her bed. Guards stationed

(31:56):
near Tuton Kamun's treasures reported vivid nightmare of being pursued
by ancient Egyptian priests, their faces obscured by ceremonial masks.
One guard described waking in a cold sweat to the
sound of chanting in an otherwise empty gallery. A journalist

(32:21):
who covered the tomb's discovery and its aftermath claimed to
experience persistent illness and hallucinations of hieroglyphs glowing on his
bedroom walls. Scientific explanations sought to demystify these phenomena. Toxic

(32:43):
mold spores and ancient bacteria sealed in the tomb's stagnant
air have been suggested as potential culprits. Aspergillus, a genus
of fungus found in ancient burial sites, could cause respiratory
distress and allergic reactions. In extreme cases, such exposure could

(33:04):
even lead to organ failure, accounting for some of the
deaths attributed to the curse. Still, there are elements of
the curse that defy scientific explanation. A transport worker tasked

(33:25):
with moving the sarcophagus claimed that his brakes failed on
a winding mountain road. While he survived, the incident was
eerily similar to another accident involving a truck carrying treasures
to Cairo. The coincidence fueled rumors that the artifacts themselves
carried an inexplicable energy, lashing out at those who disturbed

(33:47):
their rest. The pharaoh's cuss has not only claimed lives,
but also left psychological scars on those who escaped its grip.
Museum staff have spoken of an oppressive atmosphere surrounding Tutankamun's display,

(34:09):
with visitors frequently reporting nausea, dizziness, and an overwhelming sense
of being watched. Skeptics dismiss these sensations as the power
of suggestion, but for believers, they are undeniable proof of
the curses lingering power. Coming up after the break, I

(34:32):
have more strange objects from history to share with you.
I'm Tom Mackenzie. Don't forget to subscribe to Unexplained History
wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes are released each
Tuesday on Ground zero Radio. Welcome back to Unexplained History.

(35:14):
I'm your host, Tom mackenzie, and tonight we're diving into
the stories of cursed objects that have left a trail
of misfortune in their wake. Don't forget to subscribe on
your favorite podcast platform or visit us at Unexplained dot
co to stay updated on all things unexplained. The world

(35:42):
is filled with relics and dark secrets, objects that seem
to carry a trail of tragedy and misfortune. While the
Hope Diamond and the Pharaoh's Curse have captured the public's imagination,
other lesser known items whisper tales of doom. Now we
dive into more of these mysterious artifacts, beginning with the

(36:07):
haunting legend of the Bassano Vas. The Bassano Vas, a
simple yet elegant silver vase, is said to date back

(36:31):
to the fifteenth century. Legend has it that the vas
was a wedding gift for a young bride in a
small Italian village. Tragically, she died on her wedding night,
clutching the vase in her hands. Her final words, they say,
were a curse on anyone who would dare to own it.

(36:58):
Over the centuries, the vase is room to have brought
death to all who possessed it. Historical records are sparse,
but accounts suggest a wealthy merchant in the eighteenth century
reportedly acquired the vase, only to succumb to a mysterious
illness within weeks. Another owner, a local aristocrat, allegedly experienced

(37:21):
a series of catastrophic financial losses. Shortly before his untimely death.
One family, desperate to rid themselves of the curse, buried
the vase in an undisclosed location. It resurfaced in nineteen
eighty eight, unearthed by an unsuspecting farmer. According to reports,

(37:43):
within months of finding the vas he and several others
who handled it met untimely ends. Despite its dark history,
the Bassanovas eventually found its way to auction. Still, after
repeated deaths linked to its owners, it is said to
have been permanently locked away, a decision made to protect

(38:04):
humanity from its wrath. Next, we turned to a humble
yet sinister piece of furniture, the Chair of Death. This
wooden chair, once owned by Thomas Buosby, an English criminal,

(38:25):
has a grim reputation. In the seventeen hundreds, Busby was
sentenced to hang for murder, but before his execution he
cursed the chair, declaring that anyone who sat in it
would die. The chair remained in a Yorkshire inn for centuries,

(38:48):
where patrons reportedly dared one another to sit in it.
One particularly chilling story involves a delivery man who, after
sitting in a chair during a brief break, was involved
in a fatal car crash hours later. During World War II,

(39:11):
local airmen stationed nearby were said to have used the
chair as a test of bravery, only to meet untimely
deaths in combat. The curse persisted into modern times, with
several construction workers who sat in it meeting tragic ends
shortly after. A notable account describes a young roofer who

(39:38):
sat in the chair during his lunch break. He fell
to his death the same afternoon. After a series of
fatal incidents in the nineteen seventies, the chair was finally
hung from the ceiling of a local museum to prevent
anyone from sitting in it ever again. The Black Orlov diamond,

(40:05):
known as the Eye of Brahma, is a jewel as
stunning as it is sinister. Legend has it that the
diamond was stolen from a sacred statue in India, an
act of desecration that allegedly cursed the stone. The diamond's

(40:28):
history is riddled with tragedy. In the early twentieth century,
two Russian princesses who owned the Black Orloff reportedly took
their own lives, jumping to their deaths from buildings in
apparent fits of despair. One of these princesses, Leonilla Galatsim Bariatinsky,

(40:49):
had been warned by an elder relative about the gem's
dark reputation, but dismissed the concerns, believing them to be
old world superstitions. She later confided to friends that she
felt an ominous presence whenever she wore the diamond, describing
moments when it seemed to grow heavier, almost pulsating with life.

(41:20):
The diamond eventually found its way to the United States,
where a jeweler named J. W. Paris acquired it. Paris
believed he could dispel the curse by cutting the diamond
into three smaller stones. Tragically, shortly after completing the process,
Paris was found dead under suspicious circumstances, having jumped from

(41:44):
a skyscraper. This event only added to the diamond's sinister legend.
One of the smaller stones was purchased by a prominent
socialite who kept it locked in her jewelry box, only
wearing it on rare occasions. She reportedly experienced a series

(42:08):
of misfortunes, including financial ruin and the unexplained death of
a beloved family pet. Strangely, the tragedy ceased after the
diamond was donated to a museum, where it has remained
on display ever since. Visitors who come close to the
exhibit often describe feelings of unease, with some claiming to

(42:32):
hear faint whispers or see fleeting shadows near the display case. Next,

(42:59):
we encounter one of the most infamous cursed dolls in history, Annabelle,
encased in a locked glass box at the Warner Cult
Museum in Connecticut. This raggedy ann doll is believed to
house a malevolent spirit. Annabel's story began in the nineteen

(43:21):
seventies when a nursing student named Donna received the doll
as a gift from her mother. Initially, Donna and her
roommate Angie found the doll charming, but soon they began
noticing odd occurrences. The doll appeared to move on its own,
shifting positions or even rooms. They discovered handwritten notes reading

(43:45):
help us or help Loo, scrawled in childish handwriting, despite
having no paper or pen matching the notes in their apartment.
The situation escalated when Lou, a friend of Donna, and

(44:05):
Angie claimed to be attacked by the doll. He awoke
one night to the sensation of being choked and later
found deep scratches on his chest. Seeking answers, Donna contacted
a medium who told them the doll was inhabited by
the spirit of a young girl named Annabelle Higgins. However,

(44:31):
Ed and Lorraine Warren, renowned paranormal investigators, believed the spirit
was not that of a child, but a demonic entity
seeking to manipulate and harm the occupants. The Warren secured
the doll in a protective case lined with holy relics
to contain its malevolent energy. To this day, visitors to

(44:55):
the museum report feeling uneasy in its presence, some claiming
to experience fainting or sudden nausea. Finally, we explore the
koe Nor Diamond, one of the most famous and controversial

(45:17):
jewels in history. Once a prized possession of Indian royalty,
the diamond is believed to carry a curse that brings
misfortune or death to any man who wears it. The
koe Noor's history is steeped in blood and betrayal. The

(45:41):
diamond's name translates to mountain of light and its origins
trace back thousands of years to the minds of India.
The gems allure led to countless battles and betrayals. It
passed through the hands of the Mughal emperors, including Shah Jahan,
who famously built the taj Mahal. However, Shah Jahan's empire

(46:05):
crumbled and he was imprisoned by his own son Aurangzeb,
with the Kohi Noor symbolizing both his glory and his downfall.
In the eighteenth century, the diamond came into the possession

(46:26):
of Persian ruler Nadir Shah, who seized it during his
invasion of India. Nadir Shah's empire fell into chaos shortly after.
Over the following decades, the diamond passed through various rulers,
each facing violent ends or political ruin. By the mid

(46:52):
nineteenth century, the British East India Company acquired the gem
following the annexation of Punjab, presented to Queen Victoria, but
the curse's ominous reputation persisted. To mitigate the supposed curse,

(47:12):
the British royal family decreed that only female monarchs or
consorts would wear the coe Nor. It was mounted in
the crown of Queen Alexandra and later Queen Elizabeth, the
Queen Mother. The diamond remains part of the British Crown Jewels,
locked away in the Tower of London. Its legacy, however,

(47:35):
continues to spark debate over its rightful ownership, with calls
for its return to India growing louder. Many still believe
that the coe Nor carries an ancient curse punishing those
who take it from its homeland. These objects, shrouded in

(48:03):
mystery and myth, remind us of the thin line between
superstition and reality. Are these curses the result of coincidences
woven into chilling narratives? Or do these artifacts truly carry
the weight of the tragedies that surround them. Every object

(48:44):
has a story, but some stories are darker than others.
Tonight we end our journey with a tale of two
seemingly ordinary items. The Conjured Chest and the infamous Myrtle's
plantation mirror. Both carry legs He's so sinister that they
have captivated believers and skeptics alike. The Conjured chest was

(49:23):
crafted in Kentucky in the mid nineteenth century by an
enslaved man forced to create it under threat from his enslaver.
According to legend, the enslaved man cursed the chest in
retaliation for the cruelty he endured. The curse was said
to bind the chest to death and misfortune, ensuring that
it would carry sorrow to all who used it. The

(49:47):
chest first came into prominence when it became part of
the Johnson family's possessions. It was used to store baby clothes,
but its presence soon coincided with an alarming pattern of tragedies.
Family records revealed that infants whose belongings were kept in
the chest often fell gravely ill or died under mysterious circumstances.

(50:09):
Desperate to stop the deaths, the family passed the chest
to distant relatives, but the curse seemed to follow. In
one particularly chilling account, the chest was given to a
cousin who planned to use it for Linen's Within weeks,
her husband suffered a fatal accident, and the family's home

(50:31):
was plagued by unexplained phenomena, doors slamming shut on their
own footsteps in empty hallways, and the sound of faint
weeping emanating from the chest itself. Over the decades, the
chest changed hands multiple times, with each new owner experiencing

(50:55):
their own share of calamities. A farmer who used the
chest to store tools reportedly suffered a freak accident involving
his equipment, leading to his death. A school teacher who
kept papers inside it was struck by a sudden and
fatal illness. By the twentieth century, the chest had earned

(51:17):
a reputation as a harbinger of doom, and many refused
to go near it. The turning point came when the
chest was inherited by Virginia Carrey, a descendant of the
Johnson family. Unwilling to risk further tragedies, she sought out

(51:38):
spiritual guidance. With the help of local clergy, the chest
was exercised and its cursed contents were removed and burned.
According to Carrie, the ritual seemed to diminish the chest's
malevolent influence, but she chose to donate it to the

(52:00):
Kentucky History Museum rather than keep it in her home. Today,
the conjured chest resides in the museum, safely displayed behind glass.
Visitors are warned not to touch it, and some claim
to feel an oppressive energy just by standing near it.

(52:23):
Museum staff report that even now, strange occurrences persist, lights, flickering,
cold drafts in otherwise warm rooms, and the occasional sound
of faint tapping from within the chest. The conjured chest

(52:44):
reminds us that even the most mundane objects can harbor
extraordinary darkness. Whether the curse is real or the product
of collective fear and superstition, the chest's legacy continues to
captive and terrify all who encounter it. Finally, we turn

(53:13):
our attention to the Myrtle's Plantation Mirror, an object covered
in secrets and danger located in Louisiana's famously haunted Myrtle's Plantation.
The ornate mirror is said to be far more than
a decorative peace. According to local lore, the mirror traps

(53:37):
the spirits of Sarah Woodruff and her children, who met
tragic ends on the plantation. In the nineteenth century. Sarah,
the wife of the plantation owner, was reportedly poisoned along

(53:58):
with her children by a server, and seeking revenge, the
mirror was hung in their honor, but soon visitors began
reporting strange phenomena. Handprints would appear on the glass, impossible
to remove, as though pressed from the other side. Shadowy
figures and ghostly faces unrecognizable to anyone living would materialize

(54:23):
within its frame, lingering for moments before fading away. Tourists

(54:51):
who visit the plantations share chilling stories of their encounters
with the mirror. One visitor claimed to have seen the
reflection of a child running behind her though she stood
alone in the room. Another captured a photograph showing the
spectral outline of a woman in mourning dress standing just
behind her shoulder. Paranormal investigators have recorded strange energy readings

(55:17):
near the mirror and unexplained fluctuations in temperature. Staff members
at the Myrtle's Plantation report their own unsettling experiences late
at night. Some have heard tapping on the glass when
the room is empty. Others have seen faces staring back

(55:39):
at them, only to vanish when they turned away. The
mirror's reputation as a portal to the spirit world has
made it one of the most visited and photographed items
on the property, though few dare to linger near it
for long. Historical records suggest that the mirror was installed

(56:01):
shortly after the deaths of Sarah and her children, but
the exact origins of its supernatural reputation remain unclear. Was
it the result of folklore passed down through generations, or
did the plantation's tragic history imprint itself onto the mirror's surface.

(56:30):
The Myrtle's Plantation mirror, like the conjured chest, stands as
a haunting reminder of the unseen forces that may linger
in our world, whether through supernatural influence or the stories
we tell. These objects challenge our understanding of reality, leaving
us to wonder what lies beyond the veil. As we

(57:20):
conclude this episode of unexplained history, we are left to
ponder the power of curses and the mysterious forces that
seem to linger around these infamous objects. From glittering diamonds
and sacred artifacts to dolls and paintings, these cursed items
carry a legacy of fear, tragedy, and unanswered questions. Are

(57:45):
these curses real or reflect our innate need to find
meaning in chaos and tragedy. The stories of these objects
challenge our understanding of the unknown and remind us that
history is as much about the myths we tell as
it is about the facts we uncover. Perhaps the true

(58:09):
curse lies in our fascination with these tales a fascination
that keeps us returning to them, even when logic warns
us to look away. If you've enjoyed this episode, subscribe
to Unexplained History wherever you get your podcasts. Also consider

(58:34):
giving us a rating, as it helps more people find
the show. Visit us at Unexplained dot co to dive
deeper into the mysteries we've discussed, and to stay updated
on future episodes. Don't forget to leave us a review
and share the podcast with fellow seekers of the Unexplained.

(59:00):
Thank you for joining us on this journey into the
shadows of history. Narration by David Stanley. Music composed by
Smoking Man's Studio. Research and production by Mike Sherwin, Written
and directed by Rob Davenport. I'm your host, Tom Mackenzie.

(59:27):
Unexplained History is a production of the Unexplained Company at
Unexplained dot co. All rights reserved.