Jeremy Biddle January 22nd, 2014 Period 1 & 2 Exploratory Essay: King Tut Mystery

When British archaeologist, Howard Carter, excavated Pharaoh Tutankhamens tomb in the Valley of the Kings, he discovered lavish rooms filled with golden treasure and ancient relics of days gone by. Sadly, when Carter was finally able to exhume Tut's remains, he discovered a frail, boy king whose reign over Egypt was tragically shortlived. Tutankhamen died before the age of 19. Historians are still unclear about the young pharaoh's accomplishments; however, it was clear that Tutankhamen ruled during a tumultuous time in Egyptian history. Indeed, much of Tut's legacy was undoing the damage his father Akhenaten had caused. With that said, many questions still remain regarding the boy king. In truth, Carter's discovery opened Pandora's Box, unlocking a mystery that has baffled historians to this day. Egyptologists and forensic scientists alike have several plausible theories. Some claim a blow to the back of the head was the ultimate cause of his death; others believe he suffered from malaria and a severely broken leg that refused to heal. So, how did the pharaoh die at such a young age? In 1968, Dr. Richard G. Harrison, a professor of anatomy from the University of Liverpool, x-rayed King Tuts skull. Controversy soon erupted when he discovered the back of Tuts cranium appeared to contain several anomalies. Specifically, Harrison discovered a large, dark mass near the base of the skull that resembled a

blood clot. Could Tut have been struck in the back of the head with a blunt object? Famed Egyptologist, Dr. Bob Brier, believes these x-rays point to homicide caused by blunt force trauma. He speculates in his book The Murder of Tutankhamen that somebody very close to King Tut could have easily murdered the young pharaoh (Brier 34). With the possibility of foul play in mind, the primary suspect would have been deep in Tut's inner circle. Brier claims that the most likely suspect was his advisor Aye. Indeed, Aye would have had the motive and the means to assassinate King Tut. His advisor also oversaw the entombment of King Tut; Carter himself even notes the burial was hastily done his diary. And yet, there is little hard evidence to support these claims. Most of Briers assertions, plausible as they may seem to some, are primarily based on circumstantial evidence. Subsequently, further analysis was conducted by a team of forensic experts in 2005 lead by famed Egyptologist Dr. Zahi Hawass. Interestingly, Hawass and a team of international scientists discovered the young boy pharaoh had a severely broken leg. Could a broken femur have killed King Tut? The answer can be explained in the brutality of his break. Recent x-rays by Hawass show that his left femur had a compound fracture near the knee. 3000 years ago, a break such as this could have easily become infected and killed a person in just a few days. According to a recent article by Ker Than of National Geographic, Tut had an active lifestyle and may have suffered an accident in which he broke his leg badly, leaving an open wound. In short, Tut's tomb was indeed filled with evidence suggesting a vigorous, energetic way of life; thus, a chariot accident could be plausible to some. Even more, many images left behind depict a young man who enjoyed archery, hunting, and the outdoors. In all, a

tragic fall could explain the compound leg fracture found on Tut's body and give a conceivable explanation for his premature death. All in all, King Tutankhamen left behind an extraordinary treasure trove of ancient relics from Egyptian antiquity. Consequently, he also left historians with more questions than answers in regards to his untimely death. The historical community still has many theories. Even thought CT Scan evidence suggests a healthy skull, there are notable Egyptologists (like Brier) who still believe that Tuts death was an assassination, not an accident. Nevertheless, the discovery of King Tut's glorious tomb has given the world an extraordinary view into the past, a story that illuminates the captivating life of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh. Even more, the archaeological artifacts that Tut left behind 3000 years ago has granted him the one wish that all pharaohs yearned for: immortality.

References Brier, Bob, Dr. The Murder of Tutankhamen. New York: Putnam, 1998. Print. Carter, Howard. The Tomb of Tutankhamen. London: Barrie & Jenkins, 1972. 106-15. Print. Hawass, Zahi, Dr. "Tut DNA." King Tut's Family Secrets. National Geographic Society, 2014. Web. 03 Feb. 2014. Than, Ker. "King Tut Mysteries Solved: Was Disabled, Malarial, and Inbred." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 16 Feb. 2010. Web. 02 Feb. 2014.