Tutankhamun Died of Infection
A great mystery surrounds the death of King Tut, even thousands of years after his life mysteriously ended. Although many scientists have proposed that evidence of a head wounds, murder and genetic diseases, some experts have offered a different explanation. This group believes that Tutankhamun likely died after severely breaking his leg during a fall from a chariot while hunting. Scientists now believe that the fracture was so bad it caused a terrible infection, one that King Tut's young body could not fight off.
An Accident in the Desert
- Although Tutankhamun's mummy contains many cracks caused by rough
handling when it was discovered in 1922, scientists today say that the large
break in his leg is different.
- Scientists discovered embalming material left inside the break. This could only
be possible if the wound was already there when the body was mummified
soon after Tut's death. If the bones were broken in 1922, that material
would not have seeped inside because it would have been dry for thousands
of years.
- Also, this type of bone break is one that is very common in young men,
whereas many of the others found on the mummy could not have happened
naturally.
A History of Chariot Racing
- Additionally, examinations of some of the 5,000 artifacts found in
Tutankhamun's tomb show that he was an active, sporting king who was
likely to be out hunting in a chariot.
- Chariots were found in the king's tomb that show signs they were not just for
show. Examiners found grease on the axle to make it move easily and deep
marks of wear on both wheels that show it had been used often.
- Clothes made for protection at high speeds were also found in Tut's tomb.
The pharaoh would not have needed these clothes unless he was riding his
chariot on the desert plains.
Mystery of the Funeral Flowers
- The flowers found in Tutankhamun's tomb also help to show he may have
been involved in a chariot accident.
- The garland contained flowers that only bloom in the spring. So, having those
flowers in his funeral arrangement means that he must have died during
hunting season, when he was most likely to go chariot racing.
An Accident in the Desert
- Although Tutankhamun's mummy contains many cracks caused by rough
handling when it was discovered in 1922, scientists today say that the large
break in his leg is different.
- Scientists discovered embalming material left inside the break. This could only
be possible if the wound was already there when the body was mummified
soon after Tut's death. If the bones were broken in 1922, that material
would not have seeped inside because it would have been dry for thousands
of years.
- Also, this type of bone break is one that is very common in young men,
whereas many of the others found on the mummy could not have happened
naturally.
A History of Chariot Racing
- Additionally, examinations of some of the 5,000 artifacts found in
Tutankhamun's tomb show that he was an active, sporting king who was
likely to be out hunting in a chariot.
- Chariots were found in the king's tomb that show signs they were not just for
show. Examiners found grease on the axle to make it move easily and deep
marks of wear on both wheels that show it had been used often.
- Clothes made for protection at high speeds were also found in Tut's tomb.
The pharaoh would not have needed these clothes unless he was riding his
chariot on the desert plains.
Mystery of the Funeral Flowers
- The flowers found in Tutankhamun's tomb also help to show he may have
been involved in a chariot accident.
- The garland contained flowers that only bloom in the spring. So, having those
flowers in his funeral arrangement means that he must have died during
hunting season, when he was most likely to go chariot racing.
