What Killed Tut? Scientists Crack the Case

Not-so-coddled boy king fell from a speeding chariot
By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 23, 2007 10:19 AM CDT

Scientists may have finally solved the mystery surrounding the death of King Tut: The boy king took a tumble from a speeding chariot while hunting. New CT scans show Tut suffered a broken leg as well as a blow to the head, the Independent reports. Analysis of tomb artifacts suggests the enthusiastic charioteer died in prime hunting season.

The evidence indicates Tut was more of a jock and less the coddled child he has been assumed to be for much of the past century. "He was really out there in the field and taking part in things towards the end of his short life," says a descendant of the man who bankrolled the 1922 expedition that unearthed the pharoah. (More Tutankhamun stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X