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| By Kamal Ghazal |
This story traces back to the late 1960s or early 1970s, a time when illegal excavations were rampant and ancient treasures were often the subject of myths and speculation.
At Mount Tantour, it is said that a group of treasure hunters, hoping to unearth a hidden fortune, sought the help of a shaikh (a title meaning "elder" or "wise man," but in this context referring to a sorcerer or occult practitioner) to open a gateway to the treasure. What followed would soon transcend the limits of ordinary belief.
According to popular accounts, the treasure seekers were aware that the site might be “guarded.” In Middle Eastern folklore, it is commonly believed that ancient treasures are protected by invisible beings or "spiritual guardians" often associated with jinn (supernatural entities in Arab and Islamic mythology).
To overcome this perceived obstacle, the group turned to a local occultist who claimed he could summon the treasure’s “guardian spirit” through secret rituals.
The Midnight Ritual
At midnight, they gathered before the entrance of a shadowy cave, where the shaikh began chanting incomprehensible incantations, their echoes bouncing off the rocky cliffs. According to witnesses, he sacrificed a black rooster - a ritual rooted in ancient folk beliefs, where such an offering is thought to appease hidden forces (for more context, many Middle Eastern traditions link black animals, especially roosters, with magical rites connected to buried treasures).
Suddenly, eerie sounds emanated from deep within the cave, and dark shadowy figures were said to move between the rocks. The earth trembled lightly, as if the cave itself was breathing.
After a few moments of heavy anticipation, the rocky wall split open, revealing a massive stone door engraved with ancient inscriptions, believed to date back to the Roman era. The adventurers slipped inside and found clay jars brimming with gold coins, alongside centuries-old metallic artifacts. For a brief moment, excitement and triumph filled the air.
But the joy did not last.
One of the men, inspecting the cave’s contents, let out a blood-curdling scream, claiming he had seen a shadowy creature standing in the corner. His limbs became paralyzed for a few terrifying seconds, as if struck by an invisible force, prompting the others to flee in panic. Upon their escape, the shaikh warned them that the treasure’s guardian had allowed them to take only a small portion and returning would bring dire consequences.
The Vanishing Cave
Despite their fear, greed lured some of the men back to the site days later. Yet what they found or rather, did not find defied explanation.
The cave had completely disappeared. The rocky landscape appeared undisturbed, as if no opening had ever existed. This astonishing event deepened the belief that a mysterious power had hidden the entrance once again.
Truth or Folklore ?
No official documents or historical records exist to verify this story, yet it remains a cherished part of Jordanian folklore - passed down through generations as a cautionary tale about the "curses" that often accompany buried treasures.
Some researchers suggest that what the men experienced might have been caused by natural phenomena such as exposure to toxic gases that sometimes accumulate in ancient caves, causing hallucinations and breathing difficulties.
However, others believe this is just one of many similar stories across the region, affirming the idea that some places remain under the protection of forces beyond human comprehension, and that certain treasures are not merely material wealth, but hidden secrets meant to stay buried forever.
Was the treasure of Mount Tantour a hidden reality? Or was it merely a mirage fueled by the rich tapestry of local legends ?
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