King Tut's Burial Chamber Opened

Although British archaeologist Howard Carter and his crew discovered the tomb of King Tutankhamen months earlier, they only reached the king's burial chamber on February 16, 1923. This created another flurry of media storms, and interest in Egypt and Egyptian treasures surged again. Tutankhamen was in the 18th Egyptian dynasty and ruled from about 1332-1323 BC. He is also known as "the boy king," because he came to the throne at age ten, and died at nineteen.

King Tut married his half-sister, Ankhesenpaaten, which was not uncommon in most parts of the known world at this time. Some biblical figures, like Abraham, did something similar. Tutankhamen had two daughters, but they were both stillborn and buried with him. Most historians believe this king had powerful advisers, since he came to the throne so young. He sought to restore diplomatic relations with other countries, which had weakened under prior rulers.

Standing at 5 feet and 11 inches tall, when he died, Tut was lean and trim. Busts found in his tomb gives us some idea of what he may have looked like. No one knows for sure the reason for his death. Some have wondered if he wasn't killed, but more think it happened due to an accident. He had a broken leg shortly before death, and it became infected. There's also evidence he had malaria. Some have speculated that the fall, which broke his leg, may have caused an internal brain injury as well. Regardless, this ended his family's line to the throne.

_____________________________________