Scientists Ran DNA Tests on 3,300-Year-Old Mummy of Tutankhamun — and Finally Discovered What Really Killed Him
King Tutankhamun is one of the most popular Egyptian figures who ruled around 3,300 years ago. The discovery of King Tutankhamun's mummy in 1922 made headlines. Since the discovery, enthusiasts have been fascinated with every aspect of this pharaoh's life, especially his death, stated LADBible. A team of researchers in 2010 identified King Tut's cause of death and published about it in the JAMA network.
In the past, many reasons, like murder, have been put forward as the cause of King Tut's death, but this analysis points fingers at a disease. Cairo University's Faculty of Medicine and two German DNA specialists at the National Research Centre managed to garner two tissue samples from the pharaoh's mummified remains. The samples allowed the team to examine King Tut's DNA, providing them with a glimpse of his genetic makeup. The genetic composition indicates that the famous king died due to malaria. "The tests show that Tutankhamun was infected with malaria that may have killed him," Tim Batty, the general manager of the Tutankhamun Exhibition, shared.
Experts found traces of malaria parasites in their DNA samples. The team of researchers further suggested that, along with malaria, the king's broken leg also contributed to his death, stated The Guardian. "A sudden leg fracture possibly introduced by a fall might have resulted in a life-threatening condition when a malaria infection occurred," the JAMA article said. The scientists believe that after the fall, the king's immune system possibly weakened, which made him more vulnerable to the consequences of the malaria infection.
Researchers were also able to figure out the identities of King Tut's grandparents, father, and wife. His grandfather was determined to be Pharaoh Amenhotep III, and his father was identified as Akhenaten. "There is a lot of fuzziness about the succession, and that's why knowing Tutankhamun was the son or direct blood descendant would make a difference," said Salima Ikram, an Egyptologist at the American University in Cairo and an expert on mummies.
The analysis also refuted past claims that King Tut's family suffered from a condition that gave them feminine attributes or misshapen bones, like Marfan syndrome. This theory was popularized by certain statues of the period, which depicted men with breasts. "It is unlikely that either Tutankhamun or Akhenaten actually displayed a significantly bizarre or feminine physique," the article said.
The DNA analysis showcased that King Tut was a frail boy suffering from multiple conditions. "Tutankhamun had multiple disorders … He might be envisioned as a young but frail king who needed canes to walk," the study shared. This assertion challenges how the pharaoh has been described in the funerary artefacts as an elegant boy king. Researchers think this was a result of inbreeding amongst his ancestors. Experts found that, like his father, King Tut suffered from a cleft palate and, similar to his grandfather, exhibited club foot and experienced Kohler's disease.
Researchers further claimed that the king suffered multiple bouts of malaria. Analysis of King Tut's family showcased how this disease killed many royals. His grandparents, Pharaoh Amenhotep III, and Tiye, both succumbed to this disease. "In addition to genetic information on Tut's family connections, the DNA tests have revealed further information such as diseases and inherited problems that may have afflicted Tutankhamun," Batty added.