DNA tests for little mummies: 07-08-2008
Scientists will finally carry out DNA tests on two mummified foetuses to establish whether they were related to the fallen Egyptian ruler Tutankhamun.
It is believed the foetuses may be the stillborn children of the teenage pharaoh, who died more than three millennia ago.
The tiny mummies were discovered in 1922 in Tutankhamun's tomb, but tests have never been carried out as Egyptologists could never agree whether the pharaoh had fathered any children.
Radiologist Ashraf Selim, who is part of the test team, said the DNA study should help settle the argument.
"We want to find out the truth [about] the history of these kings," he said.
Tutankhamun ruled as one of the last kings in Egypt's 18th dynasty and is perhaps the best known Egyptian ruler.
The foetuses have been kept at the Cairo school of medicine, but will be part of a move to DNA test all of the royal mummies and around 20 unidentified mummies in the Egyptian museum.
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