The mystery behind King Tut’s death has produced many theories , from murder to an overall poor bill of health. Recently, one of the most extensive studies into the downfall of one of the most famous of all Egyptian rulers has revealed glaring details. After investigating the ins and outs of a more than 3,300-year-old mummy, researchers contend that King Tutankhamun suffered from a cleft palate and clubfoot. This article goes on to highlight more information regarding his death.
If King Tut had clubfoot, then he most likely got around by walking with a cane. Researchers believe this would set off a series of medical issues that would ultimately contribute to his death. Malaria is thought to have worsened a broken leg , causing the King to succumb to complications. These findings come after two years of testing DNA and performing CT scans on 16 mummies, including King Tut and members of his family. The researchers also shed light on Tut’s family tree. For the first time, it was stated that he was the child of a brother-sister union.
Some of the findings include the identity of his father, who was most likely Akhenaten, the pharaoh known for attempting to transform ancient Egyptian religion and influence his people to adopt worship centered on one god. The mummy with DNA that points to Tut’s mother is also the sister of Akhenaten. Brother-sister marriages were not uncommon during ancient Egyptian days. Her exact identity remains a mystery.
For many years, King Tut has grabbed the attention of Egyptologists and ancient history buffs. Although he lived quite a short life, people are eager to learn the details of the boy who became pharaoh at the age of 10 in 1333 BC. During a significant time in the history of Egypt, Tut ruled for nine years. His contributions are thought minor, but when his tomb was discovered in 1922 , the breath-taking artifacts (like the infamous golden funeral mask), have heralded the pharaoh as a legend.
The first theories surrounding the death of King Tut pointed to murder, as he died at such a young age and had a hole in his skull. A CT scan performed in 2005 ruled out homicide, as the hole was dismissed as a part of the mummification process. The scan also revealed that the King suffered a broken leg. Additional clues began to surface and before long, the glorious ruler was reduced to an unhealthy teenage plagued by congenital illnesses and dying when severe brain malaria complicated a simple broken leg. Researchers were able to isolate DNA of the malaria parasite in a handful of mummies belonging to King Tut’s family , making it the oldest discovery of its kind.
King Tut was frail and most likely hobbled along with the help of canes. Tut battled multiple disorders and staying in line with his father , was born with a cleft palate. Pain probably played a significant role in his life, as he was diagnosed with the painful condition of Kohler’s disease, which caused a lack of blood flow that slowly deteriorated bones in his left foot. In Tut’s tomb, about 130 walking sticks had been found.
