Tutankhamun
Background Information and Site of Discovery |
In 1332BC, aged just 10 years of age, Tutankhamun , heir to the throne, became
Pharaoh. During which time he married his half-sister Ankhesenamun. Tutankhamun restored Egypt's Gods and relocated the capital to Thebes. However his reign would last only 9 years until he was aged just 18 or 19. Tutankhamun's tomb was discovered by Archaeologist and Egyptologist Howard Carter in 1922 following two decades of investigation of the tombs in the Valley of the Kings, in southern Egypt. He is the only Pharaoh to have been found in his tomb. |
Theories, Scientific Dating Techniques and Forensic Analysis
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Since discovery, Tutankhamun's mummy has been subject to scientific analysis on five occasions.
In 1925, The first Autopsy was carried out by Douglas E. Derry, Professor of Anatomy at the Egyptian University, in which the
mummy was unwrapped and found to be poorly preserved.
In 1968, the mummy was X-rayed by a University of Liverpool team lead by R.G. Harrison revealing that Tutankhamun's
sternum and some ribs were missing. This lead to hypotheses of a chariot accident or birth defect. Examination of the skull and
the presence of a small bone fragment caused speculation concerning a blow to head as the cause of death.
In 1978, the body was re-examined once more by James E. Harris, Professor of Orthodontics, who X-rayed the skull and carried
out Blood Analysis. The results indicated family relations to Amenhotep III, Akhenaten,
Sitamun and Tiye.
Led by Dr Zahi Hawass, Secretary of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt, the
2005 CT Scan of Tutankhamun's remains recorded 1700 images reaffirming the age of
death being 18 to 19 years old as well as height and health. Death from a blow to
the head is ruled out and the missing sternum and ribs were considered to have been
removed by Carter. The scan confirmed the fracture to the thighbone hadn't healed,
indicating the injury was sustained days before death.
Further CT Scans and DNA Testing from 2008 to 2010 revealed that Tutankhamun's parents were brother and sister, and that he
suffered from malaria - a probable cause of death.
In 1925, The first Autopsy was carried out by Douglas E. Derry, Professor of Anatomy at the Egyptian University, in which the
mummy was unwrapped and found to be poorly preserved.
In 1968, the mummy was X-rayed by a University of Liverpool team lead by R.G. Harrison revealing that Tutankhamun's
sternum and some ribs were missing. This lead to hypotheses of a chariot accident or birth defect. Examination of the skull and
the presence of a small bone fragment caused speculation concerning a blow to head as the cause of death.
In 1978, the body was re-examined once more by James E. Harris, Professor of Orthodontics, who X-rayed the skull and carried
out Blood Analysis. The results indicated family relations to Amenhotep III, Akhenaten,
Sitamun and Tiye.
Led by Dr Zahi Hawass, Secretary of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt, the
2005 CT Scan of Tutankhamun's remains recorded 1700 images reaffirming the age of
death being 18 to 19 years old as well as height and health. Death from a blow to
the head is ruled out and the missing sternum and ribs were considered to have been
removed by Carter. The scan confirmed the fracture to the thighbone hadn't healed,
indicating the injury was sustained days before death.
Further CT Scans and DNA Testing from 2008 to 2010 revealed that Tutankhamun's parents were brother and sister, and that he
suffered from malaria - a probable cause of death.
Facial Reconstructions and Artistic Representations
![Picture](/uploads/2/8/8/8/28881483/7842614.jpg?183)
Using the CT scanned data, forensic anthropologist Jean-Noël Vignal of the Centre Technique de la
Gendarmerie Nationale determined the basic measurements and features of the face .
Forensic sculptor, Elisabeth Daynès then created a clay face depicting Tutankhamun on the day of his death,
using the scientific evidence and two wooden sculptures of Tutankhamun created during his lifetime.
Susan Antón, an anthropologist at New York University and Bradley Adams of New York City's Chief Medical
Examiner's office then recreated Tutankhamun's face once more.
Finally, Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities made a third recreation. The three facial reconstructions closely resembled one another,
validating the scientific processes used.
Gendarmerie Nationale determined the basic measurements and features of the face .
Forensic sculptor, Elisabeth Daynès then created a clay face depicting Tutankhamun on the day of his death,
using the scientific evidence and two wooden sculptures of Tutankhamun created during his lifetime.
Susan Antón, an anthropologist at New York University and Bradley Adams of New York City's Chief Medical
Examiner's office then recreated Tutankhamun's face once more.
Finally, Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities made a third recreation. The three facial reconstructions closely resembled one another,
validating the scientific processes used.
Contemporary Written Sources
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