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King Tut's sarcophagus. Source: Jaroslav Moravcik / Adobe Stock.

The Mystery of King Tut’s Death Finally Solved?

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One of the best-known Egyptologists believes that he has finally solved the mystery of the death of Tutankhamun. He claims that the young pharaoh died after his leg became infected after an accident. The expert claims that he has conclusive evidence that Tutankhamun was not murdered, a theory that is popular among some specialists.

Tutankhamun of the 18th dynasty is perhaps the best-known of all pharaohs thanks to the discovery of his tomb in the Valley of the Kings, despite his brief reign. He was the son of Akhenaten, the notorious heretic pharaoh, who married his own sister. As a result, Tutankhamun is believed to have been born with a number of deformities, including an elongated skull.

The Mystery of King Tut

Tutankhamun died while he was very young. Because of damage to his mummified corpse, it has been very difficult to officially establish the cause of death, reports the Tutankhamun.com London website. There are several theories about the cause of death of the young monarch.

One theory holds that he was murdered, which was developed in the 1960s after a loose piece of bone was found in his skull. This was believed to have been the result of “a hard blow to the head” according to Tutankhamun.com London.

Close-up of King Tut's head. (Fæ / CC BY-SA 4.0)

Close-up of King Tut's head. (Fæ / CC BY-SA 4.0)

However, the theory that he was murdered has been challenged by Dr. Zahi Hawass, one of the most high-profile experts on ancient Egypt in the world. He long ago rejected the theory that King Tutankhamun was murdered.

The expert argues that the piece of loose bone fell from the skull of the pharaoh after death. A recent scan indicates that there are no traces or marks that would indicate that Tutankhamun received a blow to his head before he died.

A Leg Wound Killed King Tut

The other widely accepted theory is that “a leg fracture suggests an accident may have led to his downfall” reports the Daily Star. Tests have shown that King Tut’s leg had a jagged fracture. This possibly became infected and ultimately led to his death.

The mummy of King Tut. (Jschultz1129 / Public Domain)

The Egyptologist now believes that he will soon prove that the pharaoh died as a result of this accident and was not murdered. Zahi Hawass and his team have developed a ‘new machine’ that will confirm the theory, states The Daily Mail. This will finally prove that the pharaoh died from a leg wound claims Hawass.

The Egyptologist states that the new techniques will allow Tut’s leg to be scanned. Dr. Hawass also told the Daily Star, “We know that he had a fracture on his left leg and that fracture was an accident that happened to him two days before he died”. This scan will determine if he died of an infection in his leg.

King Tut’s chariot. (Howicus / CC BY-SA 2.0)

King Tut’s chariot. (Howicus / CC BY-SA 2.0)

In the ancient world, even relatively minor infections could prove fatal. Dr. Hawass has previously proven that Tut was suffering from malaria and as a result may have been too weak to fight off any infection.

Did King Tut Fall From a Chariot?

The world-renowned Egyptologist told the Daily Star that “if he had an infection then this will confirm the idea that he died in an accident”. This would have meant that he probably died after falling from a chariot, possibly during a hunt. However, it is likely that we may never know for certain how he fractured his leg.

King Tut’s chariot. (Howicus / CC BY-SA 2.0)

An expert claims that King Tut died from injuries resulting from a chariot accident. (Archivist / Adobe Stock)

Dr. Hawass believes that he and his team will finally prove how King Tutankhamun died in the coming year. He also hinted that their tests may reveal more secrets about the famous boy king. At present many of the treasures from King Tut’s tomb are on display at an exhibition, in London at the Saatchi Gallery, which runs until the summer of 2020.

Top image: King Tut's sarcophagus. Source: Jaroslav Moravcik / Adobe Stock.

By Ed Whelan

 

Comments

Yes but he happens to be dead and a long time ago. How he died is of absolutely no value other than to redirect our attention from current realities.

Speculation, speculation and more lies

Glenn Webb's picture

My exact when I saw the name.

“Oh, THAT guy. Nevermind then.”

Zero trust in Hawass. Zero. None. Nadda. He has done more than any other individual in our human history to mess up our research into human history.

Mary Madeline's picture

I have read alot about King Tut. They found him with no heat or front ribs, they said it was probably from hunting rinorsaursaurous , I'm sure I spelled that wrong,. Then in this article they said there was a piece of his skull missing and the there was no murder. Well, never in my life have I ever heard of your skull just falling apart not even a piece. How many skulls have you seen full in tack. Tje whole leg thing is totally brand new, first time ever heard ofit. I know back in Those days they loved to hunt rhinhoursourses , spelled wrong again and alot of people died back then hunting them. That's why King tut had no heart or rib cage. He loved hunting rhinhoursaurses , spelled wrong again. .

Mary Madeline

Ed Whelan's picture

Ed

My name is Edward Whelan and I graduated with a PhD in history in 2008. Between 2010-2012 I worked in the Limerick City Archives. I have written a book and several peer reviewed journal articles. At present I am a... Read More

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