Tutankhamun is one of the most famous pharaohs of Ancient Egypt. He ruled 3,000 years ago, ascending to the throne at the age of 9 or 10 and dying at 18. The likely cause of Tutankhamun’s death remains a mystery. For a long time, it was believed that the ruler succumbed to malaria, which he contracted through an open wound. However, recent research suggests that the circumstances surrounding the death of the most renowned of all pharaohs may be quite different.
Egyptologist Sofia Aziz has proposed a rather controversial new theory regarding how the young pharaoh might have met his end. In her view, Tutankhamun was a typical example of “golden youth.” He may have been involved in a chariot accident while driving under the influence. This could have led to a broken leg, which then became infected and ultimately fatal.
How It All Began
Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered in the Valley of the Kings by Egyptologist Howard Carter in 1922. Several months were spent cataloging the antechamber. The burial chamber and sarcophagus were uncovered and opened in 1923. It took another 10 years to clear the tomb of the numerous treasures and items buried alongside the ruler’s mummy.
The Mask of Tutankhamun
Since then, Tutankhamun’s tomb has become one of the most studied sites, and the figure of the ruler continues to spark considerable debate among researchers. In 2010, a team of Egyptologists conducted the most extensive radiological study of the pharaoh’s mummy. The primary goal was to uncover the reasons behind Tutankhamun’s early death.
According to preliminary studies, scientists claimed that the pharaoh must have relied on a cane to walk due to a severe illness known as Kohler’s disease. Additionally, he had a clubfoot on his left foot and fewer than five toes on his right. However, researchers concluded that it was not these ailments that killed Tutankhamun, but rather a broken leg. The reason for the ruler’s leg fracture remains unknown to scientists.
Not a Cripple, but a True Warrior
Currently, Ms. Aziz completely refutes previous conclusions regarding the disability of the famous pharaoh. To support her claims, the researcher points to items found in the tomb. As is well known, in Ancient Egypt, the deceased were buried with everyday objects that could be useful in the afterlife.
Ms. Aziz highlights the presence of six chariots, armor, and wine storage in Tutankhamun’s tomb. According to the researcher, these items indicate that the young ruler was not disabled and rode chariots as a “warrior pharaoh.”
She believes that while driving, Tutankhamun struck the edge of the chariot. In her opinion, this led to life-threatening injuries. Ms. Aziz asserts that the previously mentioned clubfoot of the young ruler did not actually exist.
The researcher argues that this distortion occurred during the mummification process, not during the pharaoh’s lifetime. As Ms. Aziz noted in an interview with the Daily Mail, the cause of this is the tight wrapping and the use of resin.
Furthermore, the appearance of well-aligned legs in the mummy of the ancient Egyptian ruler supports this conclusion. As Ms. Aziz points out, if Tutankhamun had foot deformities and a clubfoot, he would have had difficulty walking. However, the long, straight bones clearly contradict these assumptions.
The researcher claims to have seen many mummies with clubfoot. In Tutankhamun’s case, there is no evidence that he was disabled. According to Ms. Aziz, canes could be a symbol of royal authority rather than proof of the ruler’s disability.
Who Knows What Really Happened
Despite Ms. Aziz’s assertions, Professor Albert Zink, who participated in the landmark study of 2010, believes his conclusions still hold true. He argues that computed tomography clearly indicates foot deformities and other leg ailments in Tutankhamun.
Therefore, there is no doubt that the ruler of Ancient Egypt had walking impairments, particularly due to bone necrosis. However, Professor Zink does not rule out the possibility that Tutankhamun may have sustained a serious injury while moving in a chariot.
Although the claim that the pharaoh was driving under the influence raises doubts for Mr. Zink. He also adds that considering the acute stage of bone necrosis in Tutankhamun’s foot, it is hard to imagine that he could have ridden a chariot while standing. While the pharaoh indeed had a broken leg, determining the exact cause of the injury is impossible.
Partially, Ms. Aziz acknowledges the validity of Professor Zink’s statements. In her view, we may never know how the most famous pharaoh of Ancient Egypt died. Only some discoveries regarding the condition of the ruler’s internal organs may provide a bit more information on this matter.