Tutankhamun took the throne of Egypt at the tender age of 8. Not long after, he married his half-sister Ankhesenamun, who was herself only a young teenager. She would go on to become a formidable Queen of Egypt, ruling alongside her young husband.
The Curse of Tutankhamun
When British archaeologist Howard Carter opened Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922, after more than 3,000 years, it was believed that a legendary curse was unleashed. Those who saw the riches inside the tomb experienced strange and untimely deaths, fueling rumors of an ancient curse.
“Death shall come on swift wings to anyone who disturbs the peace of the King,” one inscription supposedly declared.
A Life of Luxury, Cut Short
In Tutankhamun’s tomb, treasures of immeasurable value were found alongside his mummified body, including golden sarcophagi and jewel-encrusted chariots. However, the boy king’s reign ended abruptly in his early 20s for reasons that remain a mystery.
Strange Underworld Prison
Perhaps most unsettling were the mummified remains discovered in Tutankhamun’s tomb. Among them were the remains of stillborn infants, likely the result of the incestuous union between Tutankhamun and his young bride, who were unable to produce viable heirs.
The Horrors of Inbreeding
Egyptian royalty often resorted to inbreeding to preserve their bloodlines, despite the grave risks. This practice led to deformities and premature deaths among their children, as evidenced by the remains found in Tutankhamun’s tomb. The tragic consequences of royal inbreeding are forever etched in history by these discoveries.
