Tutankhamun's death mystery solved: 22-10-2007
Scientists believe that they may finally have solved the 3,000-year-old mystery of how Tutankhamun died after new analysis of evidence found in his tomb.
Researchers think that the child king probably perished in a hunting accident after falling from a chariot, the Independent reports.
Studies of his mummy using X-rays and a CT medical scanner had revealed swelling at the base of the skull and a bad fracture just above his knee, but after scrutinising items found in the tombs of the pharaohs, Egyptologists have changed their mind as to what this could mean in terms of how the ruler met his end.
Previously, historians had thought that he may have been murdered and had discounted the fact that he may have gone out hunting in the desert, as he was known to suffer ill health.
But Nadia Lokma from the Cairo Museum said that the chariots found in the tombs showed that they were not merely ceremonial carriages, but had considerable damage to them. "These chariots are hunting chariots, not war chariots. You can see from the wear on them that they were actually used in life," she said.
A special corset with abdominal protection found in Tutankhamun's tomb also indicated that the young king had rode out in the chariots with the other hunters.
As the final piece of the puzzle, the garland of fresh cornflowers and mayweed found around the neck of Tutankhamun's mummy indicated that it was made in the midst of the winter hunting season.
Lord Carnarvon, whose ancestor paid for Howard Carter's 1922 expedition, commented on the latest findings: "I thought he was an over-cosseted child, but I think he was really out there in the field and taking part in things towards the end of his short life.
While British people will be lucky enough to be able to view an exhibition of Tutankhamun's tomb's artefacts at The O2 centre in a few weeks, dedicated Egyptologists will have to visit the country of origin to see the famous solid-gold facemask, as it will remain in Egypt, being thought too fragile to transport.