Olivia Ray February 14, 2013 2 Paragraph 1- Overview An explorer named, Howard Carter, miraculously found young Tutankhamens

tomb. This beautiful tomb was elegant and spacious. The walls were 24 karat gold, with paintings of high gods and goddess. He thought this would be the tomb of a high, old, powerful pharaoh. Instead he found a weak 19 year old pharaoh. This was Pharaoh Tutankhamen, otherwise known as King Tut. He had taken over for his father, Akhenaten, at age of 8 with his sister. Historians have been searching for answers to tell them more information about Tutankhamen. But the question everyone is asking is: How did he die? Historians are still confused about this. But they have two main theories: natural causes or murder. Whether it was murder or natural causes, no one really knows for certain how the child King Tut died. Paragraph 2- Theory A- Natural Causes As the historians examined the mummy of King Tut, they realized Tutankhamen had several cracks in his leg. It was not certain, but maybe, he could have died from this broken femur. How could this kill a young, healthy king? The answer was clear when Dr. Zahi Hawass put Tutankhamen through an x-ray scan. The x-ray scan showed that his broken femur turned out to be a compound femur. In the new kingdom in Egypt, Tut could easily have died from this. In a credible article from National Geographic, A.R. Williamss writes, King Tut could easily have succumbed to an infection or illness An accident is another possibility. It's easy to imagine Tut at the reins of a chariot feeling a young man's need for speed. He hits a bump, flies through the air, and lands with a deadly crunch, (2005). Today compound femurs can kill people if they are not medically helped in any way. Also, according to Organ health and Science University, a compound femur happens when the bone pops out through the skin making the bone visible. This also could be a deep wound that shows the bone. If King Tut had the latter, his wound would

have become infected, undeniably. Considering the time, a broken femur, or compound femur, could have easily have killed the magnificent King. Paragraph 3- Theory B- Murder Natural causes might be the answer, but other historians have a different theory. As they were scanning this body they discovered that near Tutankhamens cranium he had an enormous blood clot. This may prove to be the answer to King Tuts mysterious death because why would he have a blood clot on his head. An amazing article from National Geographic, by Williamss clearly states, Carter noted that the nested shrines surrounding the sarcophagus "had obviously been banged together, regardless of the risk of damage." In addition, workmen had hacked at the mummy-shaped outer coffin to make it fit into the sarcophagus. These factors, and more, make a litany of hastebut do they testify to murder? (2005). This explained that King Tuts burial process was rushed. They didnt take the time to put all King Tuts belongings in the correct order. The priests who buried him just mummified Tut, created his case and put him in the chaotic tomb. With the evidence shown here, King Tuts mysterious death might be solved by murder. Paragraph 4- Your Theory- Historical Argument (Third Person!) Looking at both theories, it is clear natural causes are the stronger one. The reason natural causes stands out is because it has the strongest evidence. Murder has hardly any evidence at all. King Tut was very active, so he could have broken his femur by falling off a chariot or while he was hunting. National Geographic, Williamss states in his article, As evidence, they cite an x-ray taken in 1968, which shows a fragment of bone (A) in the skull cavityemptied by embalmers, according to custom. The CT scan, however, found no trace of lethal trauma to the head, (2005) This evidence proves Tut couldnt have died of murder. It is clear then that he died of a natural cause. It was most likely a femur because compound femurs kill people today. Wouldnt it most likely more deadly then rather than today? The theory natural causes are the reason young King Tut did not live past 19. Paragraph 5- Conclusion

In conclusion, King Tut died young because of a severely injured broken leg. Murder does not have enough evidence to convince people to believe it. Natural causes can be proved because of all its data. What would have happened if he had lived past 20? Well, for one thing, maybe, Cleopatra would have won the Actium war. Presuming Tut had survived his fall; Aye wouldnt have taken over. Sadly, there could have been other difficulties. Maybe we would be more peaceful or more tough or difficult. Or World War II would never have started. If King Tutankhamen hadnt died, humans might not have this technology. There is always a reason someone leaves this world. Even if it is someones best friend, dog or gold fish, it always makes a difference.

Separate Sheet of Paper (not a separate document)- Works Cited Women's Health Care Guidelines. (n.d.). Oregon Health & Science University. Retrieved from http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/health/health-information/topic-by-id.cfm?ContentTypeId=85

Williams, A.R. (2005, June). King Tut Revealed - National Geographic Magazine. King Tut Revealed - National Geographic Magazine. Retrieved from http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2005/06/king-tut/williams-text/2

Williams, A.R. (2005, June). King Tut Revealed - National Geographic Magazine. King Tut Revealed - National Geographic Magazine. Retrieved from http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2005/06/king-tut/williams-text/4