GANGRENE: An undated photo of Zahi Hawass, chairman of Egypt's Supreme Council for Antiquities, inspecting the mummy of the ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamen before a Computed Axial Tomography (Cat Scan). (REUTERS)
Posted on 05/12/2005 12:25:42 AM PDT by nickcarraway
CAIRO -- Egyptian scientists claim that they have finally lifted the veil of mystery surrounding famed Pharaoh Tutankhamen's death, saying that he died of a swift attack of gangrene after breaking his leg.
"After consultations with Italian and Swiss experts Egyptian scientists ... have found that a fracture in the boy king's left leg a day before his death was infected with gangrene and led to his passing," Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities said.
"The fracture was not sustained during the mummification process or as a result of some damage to the mummy as claimed by [British archaeologist Howard] Carter," who discovered the sarcophagus of the legendary Pharaoh in 1922, it said.
"The Egyptian scientists found no evidence that he had been struck in the head ... and no other indication he was killed, as has been said before."
The team, aided by French and US scientists, also revealed Tutankhamen's features.
"A silicone mold bearing the features of the boy king and whose examination also confirms the size and shape of his skull," was obtained, the statement said, quoting Egypt's chief archaeologist Zahi Hawass.
The mold was produced by placing silicone on a plastic replica of Tutankhamen's skull, which was constructed from a previously available computerized X-ray of the 3,300-year-old mummy.
The experts differed on the shape of his nose and ears, whose details were obtained by superimposing clay on the plastic replica.
The scientists confirmed previous findings released in March that the king died aged 19, was in good health and did not suffer from any illnesses as a child.
How did he break his leg? Fall off a chariot?
Ouch! It is the worst form of death, with your flesh rotting away whilst still alive.
talk about a cold case!
Tomb it may concern:
The death of Tut, uncommon from our perspective, was not unusual for an Egyptian pharoh...most were known to dynasty deaths. Death by gangrene is the natural result of exposing Ra flesh to unsanitary conditions, and Tut was known for his poor hygiene; he was nefertiti. The microorganisms responsible for gangrene can be as ravenous as any larger carnarvon. It may be treated with cold packs, but generally, Isis better. Of course, Tut's access to quality medical care was inhibited by the fact that the best Egyptian physicians tend to emigrate to America.
Now I know you're thinking I'm just trying to ramses puns together, and that I should have my literary license suspended for flagrant violations of the law of pun-intended consequences, but the fact of the matter is that I'm being quite Osiris.
Bravo!
showoff!
You had be going until I looked up nefertiti.
Well, I guess with this finding they can release all the usual suspects they were holding.
Somebody is going to have to shove something up your Sphinx before you stop this.
That would be a pain in the asp.
ROFL
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