The young king's parents were brother and sister and his death was caused from his being in a weakened state as a result of genetic impairments, theory suggests.
By JPOST.COM STAFFKing Tutankhamun(photo credit: REUTERS)
A new theory has emerged regarding King Tutannkhamun's death. The young king who ruled Egypt between 1332 BC until his death at the age of nineteen in 1323 was thought to have died in a chariot accident.But a recent autopsy consisting of 2000 computer scans, coupled with genetic analysis of his family, supports the theory that King Tut's parents were brother and sister and that the king himself suffered from serious genetic physical impairments that would not have allowed him to stand on a chariot, according to a report in The Independent.“It was important to look at his ability to ride on a chariot and we concluded it would not be possible for him, especially with his partially clubbed foot, as he was unable to stand unaided, Professor Albert Zink, head of the Institute for Mummies and Icemen in Italy, told The Independent. “We need further genetic analysis because that would give us more insight into his conditions,” Zink told the British daily.He said Tut's death was "most likely caused from his being in a weakened state as a result of genetic impairments inherited from his brother and sister parents."“On the other hand, he suffered from malaria so it is difficult to say whether that may have been a serious factor in the cause of death,” Zink added.Zink's theory is backed up by the discovery of 130 used walking canes in Tut's tomb, according to the report.
