Tutankhamun's parents identified

After two years of extensive research using cutting edge techniques, anthropologists have discovered the identity of Tutankhamun’s parents and traced his family tree back over five generations.

Scientists examined the genetic make-up of 16 mummies from the New Kingdom and found Akhenaten – the previous pharaoh, who is noted for abandoning traditional Egyptian polytheism – was Tutankhamun’s father. His mother was the so-called “Younger Lady” – one of two women whose bodies we found in a different tomb – thought to be Akhenaten’s wife, and sister, Nefertiti.

“It was out good fortune to be able to carry out these unique experiments which have enabled us to solve the hundred year old mystery surrounding the linage of the world famous pharaoh Tutankhamen,” said lead authors Carsten Pusch and Albert Zink.

Bone tissue samples were extracted from the samples and over the course of two years subjected to genetic, forensic and radiological examinations to compile the genetic fingerprints. Scientists were surprised at how well the ancient DNA was preserved and believe the special embalming techniques reserved for kings may have helped.

The analysis was repeated several times and replicated at a second laboratory in order to exclude possible contamination from modern DNA – the DNA profiles of all team members were regularly compared with that of the pharaohs.
Not only did the analysis reveal who Tutankhamun’s were, but also provided possible indicators of the cause of his death.  “Tutankhamun appears to have suffered from the most severe kind of malaria, malaria tropica,” said Pusch. He believes the malaria, combined with bone necrosis – which would have reduced blood supply and led to bone resorption – may well have led to his death.

The scientists will now continue their research: “Nefertiti will be our next project. We have moved our research onto a new and so far unexplored level!”
Pic: Tutankhamun’s burial mask from the Treasure of Tutankhamun collection at the Cairo Museum