Secrets of Egypt's most famous boy-king Tutankhamun set to be unveiled

Egypt's antiquities chief Zahi Hawass (wearing hat) supervises the removal of the lid of the sarcophagus of King Tutankhamun in his underground tomb


The boy-pharaoh Tutankhamun has fascinated the world ever since his ancient tomb was unearthed by British archaeologists in Egypt in 1922.

Now 90 years later, Egyptian scientists are poised to reveal both how the boy King died along with new discoveries about his lineage.

Archaeologist Dr Zahi Hawass will announce his team's latest DNA findings at the Cairo Museum tomorrow morning, which is home of the pharaoh's fabulous treasure.

The tomb of the boy king, who reigned 3,000 years ago from the age of nine till his death aged around 19, was found in the Valley of the Kings.

While his father is known to have been Pharaoh Akhenaton, his mother's identity is still unknown.

The boy king's death is also the subject of dispute among historians. Some believe he died when a leg injury turned gangrenous, while others speculated he was murdered.

Theories that he was assassinated stemmed from the fact that he was the last ruler of his dynasty, and had a hole in the back of his head.

However, in 2005 Dr Hawass announced his team had found no evidence for a blow to the back of the head, and the hole was from the mummification process.


Part of the funerary finery in King Tut's tomb (left) and how he might have looked


In 2007, the reconstructed face of Tutankhamun was revealed to the public for the first time since he died as the 12th and last pharaoh of the 18th dynasty. He is believed to have reigned from around 1333 BC to 1324 BC.

The high priest Ay succeeded Tutankhamun for four years - also marrying his widow Ankhesenpamon.

He was followed by the military leader Horemheb who ruled for 26 years until he ceded power to Ramses, founder of the 19th dynasty.


Howard Carter examines the Pharaoh Tutankhamun in 1922. He was financed by the antiquity enthusiast Lord Carnarvon


Tutankhamun achieved worldwide fame because of the stunning funerary treasure found in his tomb, including an 24.2lb solid gold death mask encrusted with lapis lazuli and semi-precious stones.

When Briton Howard Carter discovered the tomb, the pharaoh's embalmed body was encased in three sarcophagi, one of which was made from solid gold.


source: dailymail