Fridays – The Mysterious Death of King Tutankhamun: Disease, Trauma, Murder?

Instructor: Stephen “Dr. Steve” Phillips, Ph.D.

Most people are aware of the name the ancient Egyptian pharaoh, Tutankhamun, or “King Tut,” due to the remarkable discovery of his nearly intact royal tomb in 1922 and the spectacular treasures it contained.

Tutankhamun assumed the throne of Egypt at the young age of 8-9 years, but he died before he was 20 years-old, a span of only about 10 years. Egypt at that point was at the height of its more than 3,500-year history, economically, geographically, and militarily. Tutankhamun’s father, Akhenaten, was famed/infamous for having changed Egypt’s religion from the worship of a pantheon of dozens of gods and goddesses to the worship of just one of them, the Aten. Tutankhamun was born into an exciting, yet turbulent world.

Speculation as to the cause of the young king’s early death began almost as soon as his tomb was opened. Was it due to some sort of curse? Did he die from a disease, or diseases? Did he suffer a traumatic injury that led to his death? Or was he murdered by a rival who had jealous eyes on his throne?