How did King Tut really die?

Tutankhamun ascended to the throne of Egypt at around the age of nine, at a time when the kingdom was in turmoil.

During his short reign, from 1332-1323 BCE, Tutankhamun's efforts focused on reversing the monotheistic worship of Aten and reinstating the polytheistic practices, which his predecessor and father, Akhenaten, had radically altered.

Thanks to the help of his advisors, such as Ay and Horemheb, Tutankhamun worked to stabilize the land. 

His marriage to Ankhesenamun, his half-sister, also helped strengthen his position as pharaoh. By restoring the temples and promoting the old gods, Tutankhamun sought to bring back the glory of previous dynasties.

At the same time, he moved the capital back to Thebes from Akhetaten. However, his reign lasted only about ten years, when he died unexpectedly.

In the aftermath of his mysterious death, Tutankhamun's tomb remained undisturbed for centuries. Unlike other pharaohs, whose tombs were looted, his burial site was forgotten and hidden under layers of debris.

That is, until the early 20th century. 

In November 1922, Howard Carter made one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. He unearthed the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings, near Luxor.

For years, Carter had searched for the elusive burial site of the young pharaoh. As a result of the financial backing of Lord Carnarvon, an English aristocrat who shared Carter's interest in Egyptology, he conducted numerous excavations.

On November 4, a worker apparently stumbled upon a stone step, which led to the tomb's entrance. 

Upon entering the tomb, Carter and his team found an undisturbed royal burial site. The first chamber contained a stunning array of artifacts, including chariots, furniture, and statues.

In the midst of their excitement, they realized the significance of their find. By November 26, Carter peered through a small hole in the doorway, exclaiming he saw "wonderful things".

Among these treasures was the intact sarcophagus of Tutankhamun. 

The tomb's antechambers revealed more about Tutankhamun's life and death. They found gold-covered items and intricately designed jewelry.

As the team meticulously cataloged each item, the tomb's wealth of artifacts amazed the world. With over 5,000 items, the discovery was unparalleled in its wealth. 

Once Howard Carter discovered Tutankhamun's tomb, the young pharaoh's cause of death became a subject of great speculation.

Early theories suggested that Tutankhamun might have been intentionally murdered. This idea emerged from the turbulent political environment of his reign.

At the time of his death, Tutankhamun was a young pharaoh who had reversed many policies of his predecessor, Akhenaten.

This might have alienated powerful factions within the priesthood and military. These groups had vested interests in maintaining or regaining their influence.

As such, he might have created enemies among the powerful elite. For many years, a fracture in Tutankhamun's skull led some researchers to suspect foul play.

Specifically, the roles of key figures such as Ay and Horemheb came under scrutiny. Ay, who succeeded Tutankhamun as pharaoh, had served as an influential advisor during his reign. Ay had much to gain from Tutankhamun's death.

By examining historical records, some historians argue that Ay's swift ascension to the throne raises questions about his involvement.

Similarly, Horemheb, the commander of the army, might have had ambitions that aligned with removing the young king. 

The lack of heirs created further instability and power struggles. Tutankhamun's premature death left no clear successor, allowing influential figures to vie for control.

In a society where power dynamics were complex and often ruthless, assassination was a plausible explanation for his sudden demise.

The examination of the pharaoh's burial artifacts also hinted at possible conspiracies. Some items appeared hastily prepared, suggesting that his death might have been unexpected or hurried. 

In the 1960s, radiologist R.G. Harrison conducted the first X-ray analysis of Tutankhamun's mummy. He found a dense area at the base of the skull, which some interpreted as evidence of a fatal blow.

However, further analysis questioned this interpretation. In 2005, a team led by Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass conducted a detailed CT scan of the pharaoh's mummy. The scans suggested that the skull fracture likely occurred after death, possibly during the mummification process. 

When Howard Carter discovered the tomb, he found the mummy adorned with a golden mask weighing 11kg and surrounded by various artifacts.

Initial examinations focused on the visible injuries and the condition of the body. The most striking finding was a fracture in the left thigh bone, just above the knee, which suggested a traumatic injury.

By the 1970s, interest in solving the mystery of Tutankhamun's death had grown. Some researchers proposed that the young king might have died from an infection resulting from a broken leg. 

Since there was an absence of healing around the injury, it indicated that Tutankhamun likely died shortly after sustaining it.

By examining the nature of the break, experts concluded it might have resulted from a high-impact incident, such as falling from a chariot.

In ancient Egypt, chariots played significant roles in both military and ceremonial contexts. As a pharaoh, Tutankhamun would have ridden chariots frequently, increasing his risk of such an accident. 

Moreover, the presence of over 100 walking sticks in his tomb suggested that he might have had mobility issues, potentially making him more susceptible to accidents.

While some researchers believed these sticks were a symbol of his royal status, others argued they indicated a genuine need due to physical ailments.

Additionally, CT scans revealed that Tutankhamun had multiple skeletal abnormalities, including a clubfoot, which would have further complicated his ability to control a chariot effectively.

These health issues likely increased the risk of an accident. 

More recently, researchers have proposed that Tutankhamun died due to a combination of diseases and genetic disorders.

Advances in technology have allowed scientists to examine his mummy in unprecedented detail. DNA analysis, conducted in 2010, revealed multiple malarial infections in his system.

The DNA from Plasmodium falciparum indicated that he suffered from a severe form of malaria, which would have weakened his immune system. 

Additionally, the 2005 CT scans provided significant insights into his physical health. These scans showed that Tutankhamun had a cleft palate and mild scoliosis, which are genetic disorders.

They also discovered evidence of a degenerative bone condition called Köhler disease II, which affects the foot bones.

This condition would have caused chronic pain and limited his mobility. Coupled with the walking sticks found in the tomb, these findings suggested that Tutankhamun's physical condition was frail. 

The combination of malaria, genetic disorders, and possible infections presents a compelling case for the illness theory.

These findings paint a picture of a young pharaoh who faced numerous health challenges throughout his life. Despite his royal status, Tutankhamun's physical frailty may have ultimately led to his premature death. 

Most recently, genetic analysis has revealed that Tutankhamun was the product of inbreeding, which a common practice among Egyptian royalty.

His parents, likely siblings, passed on genetic disorders that contributed to his overall poor health. Based upon the examination of the familial DNA, scientists confirmed that the pharaoh's lineage involved several closely related individuals, increasing the likelihood of hereditary conditions.  

As a result, Tutankhamun's family played a significant role in shaping his genetic health. His father, Akhenaten's, marriage to Nefertiti produced several daughters, but Tutankhamun's mother is believed to be one of Akhenaten's sisters.

This incestuous relationship aimed to preserve the royal bloodline. The practice of marrying within the family often led to genetic complications. 

When scientists conducted DNA analysis on Tutankhamun and his relatives in 2010, they confirmed the presence of genetic disorders.

These disorders included the scoliosis and a cleft palate as previously mentioned, both of which are hereditary. Consequently, Tutankhamun's health was compromised from birth.

Tutankhamun's wife, Ankhesenamun, was also his half-sister, which only continued the cycle of genetic inheritance. 

Ultimately, Tutankhamun's death likely resulted from a combination of several debilitating factors. His genetic background meant that his body was already compromised.

So, when suffering recurrent bouts of malaria, his body faced constant strain and made him highly vulnerable to additional health complications.

As a result, when he suffered the fracture in his left thigh bone, with a compromised immune system, his body would have genuinely struggled to heal the wound and even a minor initial infection could have become fatal.

On the other hand, it wouldn't take much for an assassination to exploit Tutankhamun's fragile condition. His numerous health issues already placed him in a vulnerable state, and even a minor attack could have catastrophic consequences.

By removing Tutankhamun, they stood to gain power and control over the kingdom. In a society where royal succession was often contested, assassinating a weak and ailing pharaoh would have been an opportunistic move.  

The lack of conclusive evidence of a specific cause of death leaves room for speculation. While modern analyses have debunked some earlier theories, they have not entirely ruled out assassination.