Group Work

An Analysis of King Tutankhamun

Questionnaire: Who (if anybody) does the author suggest may have killed him?

A number of theorists have put forward the notion that he was murdered. In 1968, a trauma specialist at Long Island University concluded that there was evidence of subdural hematoma. The blow to the back of the head was in an unusual place, and it was inferred that it could not have occurred from a chariot accident. Likewise, Michael R. King, an author, agreed with this explanation in his book, “Who Killed King Tut” (2006). The alleged killers who were put forward as having committed this heinous crime were his wife, Ay, the successor, and their chariot-driver.

Q. 2005 Findings
Zahi Hawass, an archaeologist, conducted the 15 minute CT scan of the pharoah’s mummy, and the main conclusion that can be derived is that this human had suffered a leg injury a few days prior to dying of gangrene. The answer to the death of Tutankhamen is still unclear but “present knowledge” leans towards him having being jolted off his chariot. The CT scan analysis of the skull exhibits hemorrhaging possibly from contra-coup injury. As far as the experts can date back, it seems as if he would have died during the hunting season because of the lengthy period of time it takes to complete the embalming process, and the spring flowers that adorn his neck. Some interesting facts about the young king were that he was 19 years when he died and had been in good health up to that point in time. Also he contains many similarities with his father’s physiology – he had a cleft palate and scoliosis which are factors in Klipped-Feil syndrome. It may have have played a role during the chariot crash. It is difficult to reconstruct the exact events around this period (1333 – 1324 BCE) although foul play does not seem to been an option or a direct blow to the back of the head.

Source as specified: www.wikipedia.com