Ever since Howard Carter's discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings in 1922,
scholars have speculated over why the 19-year old boy king died so young.
Some believe he was killed by a fall from his chariot, conspiracy theories say he was murdered but scientists who painstakingly studied the pharaoh's remains, think Tutankhamun died from a bout of malaria that attacked his already weakened body. They say he had a cleft palate and club foot, likely forcing him to walk with a cane.
In the journal of the American Medical Association, lead scientist Dr Zahi Hawass says how he found traces of the malarial parasite in Tutankhamun's blood along with signs of bone disease. The scientists' DNA studies also suggest the true identity of the king's parents and grandparents, something that has divided archaeologists for decades.
Michelle Roberts, Health Reporter, BBC News
speculated over – guessed about
conspiracy theories – unproven beliefs about how something may have happened which is different from the official reasons
painstakingly studied – very carefully looked at and analysed every possible detail
the pharaoh's remains – what is left of the king's body following his death
a bout of Malaria – what is left of the king's body following his death
a cleft palate – a person with a cleft palate was born with a very narrow opening inside their mouth above their tongue, making it very difficult for them to speak
club foot – a person with a club foot was born with one of their feet turned inwards, making it difficult for them to walk
traces of – extremely tiny amounts of
parasites – creatures, plants or organisms that live on or inside other larger beings to use them as food
archaeologists – people who study the past by looking at what is left of things such as very old buildings, tools and pottery
Названия некоторых болезней на английском языке
чума – plague
холера – cholera
туберкулёз – tuberculosis
ветряная оспа – chickenpox, varicella
свинка – mumps
грипп – influenza, grippe