Mystery of Tutankhamun’s death is SOLVED as DNA results ‘confirm’ what killed pharaoh over 3,300 years ago

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THE MYSTERY of King Tutankhamun’s death may finally be solved — with scientists turning to groundbreaking DNA evidence in their search for answers.

The young pharaoh’s untimely death at just 18 has baffled experts for over a century.

Tutankhamun's tomb with sarcophagus and wall paintings.

GettyThe study also helped map out Tutankhamun’s troubled family tree[/caption] Golden mask of King Tutankhamun on display.

The young pharaoh’s untimely death at just 18 has baffled experts for over a centuryRex Howard Carter examining Tutankhamun's mummy.

AlamyDNA tests show that King Tut suffered from necrosis in his left foot and a painful disease and was likely reliant on walking canes[/caption]

But now, cutting-edge genetic research has uncovered the strongest clues yet as to what brought his short life and reign to an end: a deadly combination of malaria and inherited health problems linked to royal inbreeding.

A team of scientists from Egypt’s National Research Centre and Cairo University, working with two German DNA experts, examined tissue samples from several royal mummies, including Tutankhamun himself.

Their findings point to a deadly combination of repeated malaria infections and genetic disorders linked to inbreeding within the royal family.

Tim Batty, a general manager of the Tutankhamun Exhibition, hailed the results as “another piece of the great jigsaw” in the story if Egypt’s most famous pharaoh.

DNA tests show that King Tut suffered from necrosis in his left foot and a painful disease and was likely reliant on walking canes, many of which were found in his tomb.

Combined with malaria, which in ancient times was often fatal, researchers now believe this double blow is what led to his death.

The study also helped map out Tutankhamun’s troubled family tree.

DNA evidence links his grandparents to Pharaoh Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye, but the identity of his parents remains partly shrouded in mystery.

Clues point to the mummy found in tomb KV55 — believed to be the controversial pharaoh Akhenaten — as his father, and possibly Akhenaten’s own sister as his mother.

Experts say this royal inbreeding likely caused King Tut’s frail health,

Who was King Tutankhamun?

Here's everything you need to know about the Boy King...

King Tutankhamun is the most famous of Egypt’s ancient pharaohs He ruled Egypt more than 3,000 years ago from 1332 to 1323 BC Tut is known as the “boy king” as he was just 10 years old when he took the thrown When he became the king he married his half-sister Ankhesenpaaten. They had two daughters together but both were stillborn. Tut died aged just 19 under mysterious circumstances Some believe that King Tut was assassinated but most believe that his death was an accident The pharaoh is also famous for the supposed curse that haunts his tomb After the tomb’s discovery in 1922, archaeologists, and even their family members, died from horrible illnesses or in strange accidents – and some say the deaths weren’t a coincidence

DNA shows his parents were siblings, or at lease very close relatives, a common practice in ancient Egypt .

The study also helped map out Tutankhamun’s troubled family tree.

DNA evidence links his grandparents to Pharaoh Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye. His parents?

A mystery still partly unsolved.

But clues point to the mummy found in tomb KV55, believed to be the controversial pharaoh Akhenaten, as his father, and possibly Akhenaten’s own sister as his mother.

Experts say this royal inbreeding likely caused King Tut’s frail health.

DNA shows his parents were siblings, or at least very close relatives, a common practice in ancient Egypt’s royal circles to preserve the bloodline, but one that came with serious genetic risks.

Despite ruling for only nine years, Tutankhamun remains one of history’s most iconic pharaohs, thanks largely to the 1922 discovery of his almost perfectly preserved tomb by British archaeologist Howard Carter.

More than 5,000 treasures were found buried with him, including medicine and walking sticks, hinting at a life plagued by illness.

The DNA findings, first published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, have sparked fresh debate among Egyptologists.

While some experts support the theory of sibling parents, others believe King Tut’s mother may have been Nefertiti, Akhenaten’s cousin and chief wife.

Still, the new research adds powerful scientific weight to what was once only speculation.

It may not end the mystery entirely, but it brings us closer than ever to the truth behind the tragic death of the boy king.

The results are now on display at the Tutankhamun Exhibition in Dorchester, where visitors can explore the latest findings up close.

Staff say interest in the young pharaoh’s story has soared since the announcement, with many eager to learn how science is finally unlocking ancient secrets.

“This is something people have been wondering about for over 100 years,” said Batty.

“Now we’re starting to get real answers, and that’s incredibly exciting.”

Tutankhamun's mysterious life and death

CAUSE OF DEATH

Experts believe the Egyptian leader was suffering from malaria and a broken leg before his death aged 19.

The actual cause of his death has left experts divided with some thinking he died of a broken leg or an accident while others suspect he was assassinated.

A documentary called Tutankhamun: Waking the Dead”, by British historian and broadcaster Bettany Hughes shed some light on Tut’s life.

CT scans show that the Boy King had an unusually elongated skull, suggesting it may have been the result of inbreeding.

DEATH MASK

One of the most famous items found in Tutankhamun’s tomb was the distinctive Death Mask which was placed on the young King’s face.

The piece of art was mostly made of gold, making it weigh over 10 kilograms.

Experts have argued that the golden mask was originally made for an Egyptian woman and that’s why it looks fit for a queen.

British archaeologist Nicholas Reeves has also previously argued that the boy king was buried in someone else’s grave.

He uses the feminine-looking statues, including some with breasts, as evidence of this.

WEAPONS

Among the weapons in King Tut’s tomb were some very precious daggers.

One is made with an iron blade, while the other is made from gold.

They were both apparently discovered wrapped up in different layers of the pharaoh’s mummy bandages.

Archaeologists have argued that Tut was murdered as a result of a power struggle.

FOOT PROBLEMS

His mummy was uncovered wearing gold sandals, though experts believe these may have been made especially for his death and not worn when he was alive.

The ruler was believed to be suffering from a foot condition as more than 130 walking sticks were found in his tomb.

In the years prior to his death, the famous Pharaoh is also believed to have limped with a crippling foot condition that left him disabled.

Wooden mannequin of Tutankhamun wearing a crown.

Paolo VerzoneExperts have argued that the golden mask was originally made for an Egyptian woman and that’s why it looks fit for a queen[/caption] Reconstruction of Tutankhamun's face.