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What kind of controversy surrounds the death of King Tut and how did he really pass away?

Asa Wapples

Hey there!

Thanks for reaching out with your question about the controversy around the death of King Tutankhamun! To start, it's important to understand a bit of context around the topic.

King Tut, as he is commonly known, reigned as pharaoh of ancient Egypt during the 18th dynasty, from around 1332 to 1323 BC. He became king at a young age and died in his late teens or early 20s - a relatively short reign for a pharaoh.

For many years, historians and Egyptologists believed that King Tut's death was caused by an accident or illness. However, recent studies and research have led to new theories and debates about what may have really happened to him.

Firstly, it's worth noting that King Tut's tomb was discovered in 1922 by the archaeologist Howard Carter, and this discovery has caused its own controversies. The tomb was found almost entirely intact, with an incredible amount of treasures and artifacts inside. Some believe that the discovery has led to an overemphasis on King Tut and his reign, overshadowing the many other pharaohs and rulers of ancient Egypt.

In terms of King Tut's death, there are several different theories that have been put forward. One of the most prominent is that he died from a chariot accident. This theory suggests that King Tut was out hunting and was thrown from his chariot, resulting in fatal injuries. However, there are some issues with this theory - for example, there is no evidence of any chariot-related injuries on King Tut's body.

Another theory is that King Tut was murdered. Some believe that he was killed by members of his own family or court, possibly due to a power struggle or conspiracy. This theory gained some traction after it was found that a blow to King Tut's head may have been fatal. However, other researchers have argued that this blow may have been caused after his death, during the mummification process.

Other theories suggest that King Tut may have died from an illness, such as malaria or sickle cell disease. In 2010, DNA testing was done on King Tut's mummy and the results suggested that he had a broken leg which became infected, leading to his death. However, this theory has also been debated, with some researchers arguing that the infection may have been caused by King Tut's mummification process rather than anything that happened during his life.

Overall, the controversy surrounding King Tut's death is complex and ongoing. The exact cause of his death may never be fully known, and different researchers and historians may have their own opinions and interpretations. However, the debate is a fascinating glimpse into the world of ancient Egypt and the many mysteries that still remain.

Hope this helps - let me know if you have any other questions!

Cheers