Tutankhamum breakthrough as Boy King's mystery death 'solved'

By Emily Wright, World News Reporter

The mystery of Tutankhamum's death may finally have been solved after groundbreaking DNA evidence. (Image: Getty)

Tutankhamun  is arguably the most famous Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. However, remarkably little is known about the Boy King, including how he died, aged just 18. 

The cause of his demise has remained a mystery for over 3,000 years. However, new genetic research has shed light on what may have brought his reign to an untimely end. Scientists from the National Research Centre in Egypt and Cairo University have worked with two German DNA experts to examine tissue samples from several royal mummies. 

The tests showed that he suffered from necrosis in his left foot. (Image: Getty)

One of these mummies was Tutankhamun himself, who ascended to the throne at the age of nine. In light of the new examination, the Boy King, who reigned from 1332 to 1323 BC during the late Eighteenth Dynasty, is believed to have been killed by a combination of malaria and health problems linked to royal inbreeding.

The tests showed that he suffered from necrosis in his left foot. This meant he likely had to rely on a walking cane - several of which have been found in his tomb.

The DNA tests also reveal that his grandparents were linked to Pharaoh Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye. However, the identity of his parents remains a mystery. It has been suggested that his father may be Akhenaten, the "heretic king", with Akhenaten's sister potentially being his mother. The mummy found in tomb KV55 is believed to be Akhenaten's. 

Inbreeding would not have been considered unusual among Egyptian royalty at the time. This was to ensure that a pure royal bloodline was maintained and to prevent outsiders from inheriting the throne. However, this will also have contributed to the Boy King's frail health, experts have said.

Tutankhamun's iconic iconic solid gold death mask was found during the surprise discovery of his intact tomb in 1922. (Image: Getty)

In fact, Tutankhamun's consort, Ankhesenamun, is understood to have been his half-sister or cousin. Two infant mummies found in Tutankhamun's tomb are presumed to have been the daughters of Ankhesenamun.

The general manager of the Tutankhamun Exhibition, Tim Batty, said the results were "another piece of the great jigsaw" of Tutankhamun's life.

"This is something people have been wondering about for over 100 years," he added. "Now we’re starting to get real answers, and that’s incredibly exciting."

Despite his reign lasting just 10 years, King Tutankhamun is often seen as Egypt's best-known pharaoh, not least because of the wealth of treasures—including the iconic solid gold death mask—found during the surprise discovery of his intact tomb in 1922.