meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
The History of Egypt Podcast

151: Premature Death - What Killed Tutankhamun?

The History of Egypt Podcast

Dominic Perry

History, Society & Culture

4.8 • 2.2K Ratings

🗓️ 24 August 2021

⏱️ 35 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

A life cut short. By 1334 BCE, Tut'ankhamun had ruled Egypt for approx. 10 years. Sadly, this would be his last. At the age of nineteen or so, the young ruler died. How did it happen? There are a few major hypotheses (illness, accident, or murder). However, as technology and medical science develops, some ideas seem less likely than others. In this episode, I review the major studies and proposals, and present a hypothetical reconstruction of the King's final moments... Date: c. 1334 BCE. King: Neb-kheperu-Ra Tut-ankh-Amun. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Music by Keith Zizza https://www.keithzizza.net/ Music: Michael Levy http://www.ancientlyre.com/. Music by Ancient Lyric http://www.bettinajoydeguzman.com/. Sound interludes by Luke Chaos https://twitter.com/Luke_Chaos. Audio mixing/editing by Vincent Cavanagh. Hear additional music on my Spotify Playlist. Select Bibliography: B. Brier, The Murder of Tutankhamen: A True Story (New York, 1998). R. Connolly and G. Godenho, ‘Further Thoughts on Tutankhamun’s Death and Embalming’, in C. Price et al. (eds.), Mummies, magic and medicine in ancient Egypt, Multidisciplinary essays for Rosalie David (2016), 240–8. A. Dodson, Amarna Sunset: Nefertiti, Tutankhamun, Ay, Horemheb, and the Egyptian Counter-Reformation (2nd edn, Cairo, 2017). M. Eaton-Krauss, The Unknown Tutankhamun (London, 2016). C. El Mahdy, Tutankhamen: The Life and Death of a Boy King (London, 1999). M. Gabolde, Toutankhamon (Paris, 2015). J. G. Gamble, ‘King Tutankhamun’s Family and Demise’, JAMA 303 (2010), 2471–5. W. B. Harer, ‘New Evidence for King Tutankhamen’s Death: His Bizarre Embalming’, The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 97 (2011), 228–33. R. G. Harrison and A. B. Abdalla, ‘The Remains of Tutankhamun’, Antiquity 46 (1972), 8–14. Z. Hawass, Discovering Tutankhamun: From Howard Carter to DNA (Cairo, 2013). Z. Hawass and S. N. Saleem, Scanning the Pharaohs: CT Imaging in the New Kingdom Royal Mummies (Cairo, 2016). K. Hussein et al., ‘Paleopathology of the Juvenile Pharaoh Tutankhamun: 90th Anniversary of Discovery’, Heidelberg Virchows Archiv 463 (2013), 475–9. N. Kawai, ‘Studies in the Reign of Tutankhamun’, Unpublished PhD. Thesis, Johns Hopkins University (2005). N. Reeves, The Complete Tutankhamun (Cairo, 1990). F. Rühli and S. Ikram, ‘Purported Medical Diagnoses of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, c. 1325 BC-’, HOMO – Journal of Comparative Human Biology 65 (2014), 51–63. J. Tyldesley, Tutankhamen’s Curse: The Developing History of an Egyptian King (London, 2012). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

This episode may not be suitable for all listeners.

0:04.0

It includes extensive descriptions of human remains and discussions of mortality.

0:09.5

Please use discretion when listening to this episode.

0:13.0

Thank you.

0:24.0

Salamu Alaikum, peace be upon you.

0:26.0

Welcome back to the History of Egypt podcast.

0:29.0

This episode comes to you on behalf of Kendra, who joined the Patreon as a priest for an entire year,

0:35.0

which is amazing.

0:37.0

Die and most grateful.

0:39.0

Kendra, may the great goddess Mahat bring stability and balance to your life.

0:44.0

May she repent.

0:46.0

May she repent.

0:48.0

May she repent.

0:50.0

May she repent.

0:52.0

May she repent.

0:53.0

May she repent.

0:55.0

May she repent.

0:56.0

May she repent.

0:57.0

May she repent.

0:58.0

May she repel disorder and establish justice on your behalf.

1:02.0

To everyone listening, thank you for joining me.

1:05.0

May you enjoy the blessings of Mahat, who brings balance thanks to the generosity of Kendra.

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Dominic Perry, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Dominic Perry and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright Š Tapesearch 2026.