francene--blog. Year 2013
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11/3/2013

 
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The solution to the mystery of King Tut's death has been revealed 3,336 years after his death. The legendary Tutankhamun became Pharaoh at nine years of age. He was only 18 years old when he died.

It was one of the greatest mysteries of the ancient world as to whether the Egyptian boy pharaoh was murdered, contracted leprosy or even died from snakebite. Now, 91 years after English archaeologist Howard Carter discovered his tomb in the Valley of the Kings, there is new evidence to suggest the pharaoh died after being struck in the torso by a speeding chariot. The chariot discovery was made by Dr Chris Naunton, director of the Egypt Exploration Society, after reading Carter’s notes, which were never published. Read more.


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After his death in 1323 BC, Tutankhamun was rapidly embalmed and buried, causing his mummified body to spontaneously combust in his sarcophagus. The embalmers would have been faced with the problem of a mangled body, rather than a clean one.

In 1922 the revelation of the virtually intact tomb of Tutankhamun became probably the best known and most spectacular archaeological find anywhere in the world. His sarcophagus was covered in gold that would be needed by the king in his afterlife. The small tomb contained hundreds of objects now housed in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Many of the tomb goods that would be needed by the king in his afterlife were richly decorated and covered in gold.

After passing an inspection before being allowed entry, my husband and I visited the Cairo museum in 1988 and stared open-mouthed at the treasures on display. At that time, guards armed with old rifles stood around the room and occupied every doorway. I don't know which part of the exhibition raised more goose bumps—treasure or danger.


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Back in 1968, after a photographer from Liverpool University took 50 X-rays of the mummy, researchers discovered a chunk of Tutankhamun’s skull had floated loose, leading to four decades of murder theories. But now it is believed that the head injury was caused after his death and that the clues to his demise lie in his chest. Not only did Tut's skeleton have broken ribs on its left-hand side but it was lacking a sternum, or breastbone, and heart.


So—the death could have been a simple accident or a convenient way to dispose of the king and revert to the old ways without arousing suspicions.

I don't know about you, but I'm fascinated by ancient Egypt. My lead figure, Liliha in the Moonstone series of novels, wears an ancient Egyptian ring which causes visions. In the co-written futuristic Higher Ground series, the band of unlikely adventurers from Cornworld (Cornwall) travel all the way to Long Doom (London) to find the ring in the British Museum.

According to my research, the mysterious Princess Meritaten, Tut's sister, arrived in Ireland shortly after his death. Ireland is across a short stretch of water from Cornwall. In the novel Still Rock Water, Liliha's grandmother gifted the ancient ring to her. From tales like these, myths are made.


Adam Dorfman link
11/2/2013 07:56:59 pm

interesting read on the mystery of King Tut's death

Amy link
11/2/2013 08:17:10 pm

Dear Francene,
I am fascinated by ancient Egypt, too. I remember seeing a photo of King Tut's beautiful treasure when I was a little girl, in a copy of the National Geographic magazine. I couldn't get over that beautiful young face, gleaming in gold. This is quite interesting, that they've figured out how the poor young king met his demise. Poor guy! Didn't listen to his mother: "Stay off the field during the chariot races, Tut!"

Francene Stanley link
11/2/2013 10:42:56 pm

So funny, Amy. I wonder if he listened to anybody, being a king and all. I think I remember his chief priest advised him. Fascinating speculating about the past.

Sophie Bowns link
11/2/2013 08:49:19 pm

Wow! That is very interesting and strange that it has taken so long to find out the truth. Are they 100% sure that's how he died?

Francene Stanley link
11/2/2013 10:44:02 pm

It's only supposition about the way he died. No witnesses remain.

Alana link
11/3/2013 08:55:44 am

Too funny "no witnesses remain". But not so funny - maybe they ended up having to go into an ancient Witness Protection Program?

Kama link
11/4/2013 07:41:48 pm

Ancient Egypt is so fascinating isn't it. You have to ponder our sense of reality when you look at what was created there. I think so at least.


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    Author

    Francene Stanley, author of many published novels. If you like my writing, why not consider purchasing one of my books? You'll see them on the sidebar below.
    Born in Australia, I moved to Britain half way through my long life.

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