Robert Buchanan 6/7 2-14-13 King Tut Published Paper

A British archaeologist by the name of Howard Carter excavated King Tutankhamens tomb in the Valley of the Kings in 1922. He was at awe of all the ancient relics, and priceless materials, from the time the young boy pharaoh ruled over Egypt. Unfortunately, when Carter discovered Tuts tomb, he found a young boy pharaoh who governed Egypt for about 19 years before his decease. Tut ruled during a difficult period in time because most of Tutankhamens life was trying to patch the wounds Egypt had suffered from King Tuts, fathers disastrous monstrosity of a rule. Many questions still stand about King Tut, but the most famous is, how did he croak at such a young age? Howard Carters discovery brought on a mystery that still has baffled Egyptologists for some time. Some archaeologists believe he was murdered with a severe blow to the head; others believe he died from a broken leg that was eventually infected by gangrene. What could have resulted in Tutankhamens fall into the underworld? No one knows. The other claim about King Tuts death is from a natural cause. X-rays of Tut have revealed that an unfortunate break in his femur could have been his untimely death. How did this unfortunate accident happen? The answer to this question is that a severe break a long time ago could become a life or death situation for anyone. Dr. Zahi Hawass has done backbreaking research to figure out how King Tutankhamen died. A website called Dr. Zahi Hawass, states, But studies of the CT scans show that this hole was made in the back of his head in order to pour the liquid used in mummification into his body after he died. We also found that there was a fracture in Tuts leg, (Hawass 2011). Without medical assistance or treatment today, a broken leg could effortlessly kill a person. Unfortunately the medical treatment during King Tuts era

was not the greatest or the most useful, so this might be one of the reasons for Tutankhamens demise. The other side of the argument on how King Tut died is he perished from murder. While examination of the brain scientists have came across blood clots in the back of King Tuts head. Maybe King Tutankhamen was murdered with a severe fracture, or a dangerous object hurdling towards his head? In an article about Bob Brier the writer says, Brier constructs an interesting circumstantial case, through a detailed analysis of autopsies and X-rays of Tutankhamens mummy, that the young king died as a result of a severe blow to the back of the head, (Bob Brier 2012). Bob Brier is the leader in the organization about King Tut being murder, and an attempt to kill the juvenile King is possible. Most likely one of his advisors or someone with high ranking wanted to eliminate Tutankhamen for the right of power to get to the thrown. Possibly, the answer could be found in a journal or notebook hidden under the Egyptian sands, or inside the Kings temple. Puzzlingly, King Tutankhamen could have been murdered from an advisor of his, so this might have been the ultimate cause of Tut, to face up against the feather of truth. After the examination of both theories, the conclusion on how King Tut died is Tutankhamen clearly deceased from natural causes. Tut probably was taking a chariot stroll when he fell out of the chariot. From the same website in paragraph two, Hawass says, From artistic and historical sources, we know that King Tut used to go hunting and riding in the desert around Memphis. Now the most likely scenarios are that he fell off while riding and broke his leg, or that he was fighting in a war and was injured, (2011). Murder most likely is not possible because the blow to the head could have been a light hit, and not a gigantic smash. Plus, a severe break seems more plausible to occur. Although murder may seem likely, King Tutankhamen was for sure killed from natural causes, and not murder.

Egyptologists have collected clues to reveal that the unfortunate reign of the teenage King was short-lived, because of the impact injuries and illness had on King Tutankhamen. With the new and improved medical technology, murder now seems like a thing of the past. Many people can agree that the reign from Tut was short, but prosperous. King Tut would have been able to do a great lode, if his short life was extended. Tutankhamen left behind his burial chamber, so that Egyptologists can give an inside view on the juvenile pharaoh, and how he lived nearly 3000 years ago. Although he had a short life, it was enchanted and enhanced. Added on top, if Tutankhamens life span was outlived by more then 19 years, the world can only wonder, on how the whole world would be changed.

Work Cited

THE MURDER OF TUTANKHAMEN. (n.d.). Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/bob-brier/the-murderof-tutankhamen/

VIDEO: How Did King Tut Die? | drhawass.com - Zahi Hawass. (n.d.). VIDEO: How Did King Tut Die? | Drhawass.com - Zahi Hawass. Retrieved from http://www.drhawass.com/blog/video-how-did-king-tutdie