Facts About King Tut

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The most well-known pharaoh of ancient Egypt is King Tut, also known as Tutankhamun. Born in 1343 BC in Amarna, he reigned as Pharaoh between 1334 BC and 1325 BC.  According to custom, he married his half-sister Ankhesenpaaten.  He was 9 years old when he became Pharaoh and was 19 when he passed away.

Fact 1. Seventy days after his death, King Tut was buried in a hastily prepared tomb in the Valley of the Kings.

Fact 2.   On  November 4th, 1922,  English Egyptologist Howard Carter made world headlines when he discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb

Fact 3.  Approximately 3500 articles were found in the tomb of King Tut. The famous gold mask that rested directly on top of the pharaoh’s mummy weighed ten kilos.

Fact 4.  King Tut had two daughters who were stillborn. There were two bodies of girls found in his tomb. There were speculations that these were his daughters, but this is yet to be confirmed.

Fact 5. Since the mummy was discovered in 1922, there were numerous postulations on the cause of the actual death of King Tut, including a hunting accident, blood infection, a blow to the head, and poisoning.

Fact 6. DNA studies indicate King Tut was frail of health and had an infection in his feet. This dispelled the notion of the King as a warrior King. His parents being siblings could have led to his health and immune system being compromised.

Fact 7. King Tut had a deformed left foot and walked with a cane. The many canes found in his tomb further substantiated this.

Fact 8.  DNA from the mosquito-borne parasite that causes malaria was found in the young Pharaoh’s body. This is the oldest known genetic proof of the disease. There were more than one strain of malaria parasite in King Tut indicating multiple infections. This could have weakened his immune system.

Fact 9. DNA from the mummy was in pristine condition due to the embalming method and the ingredients used. This assisted greatly in the identification of the mummy and the relationships between the mummies of the royal families.

Fact 10.  King Tut was reputedly a minor King judging from the size of his tomb. Nevertheless, the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun and its fabulous wealth has made King Tut one of the most famous of all Pharaohs.

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