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New details on death of Egyptian pharaoh

New details on death of Egyptian pharaoh
New details on death of Egyptian pharaoh

Egyptian scientists conducted a computer tomography scan of the mummy of Pharaoh Seqenenre Tao II and found new details about head injuries that the ancient Egyptians were able to disguise. Scientists offer new scenarios for the development of events. The results of the study got published in the journal Frontiers in Medicine.

Pharaoh Seqenenre Tao II ruled Egypt from 1569 to 1554. His mummy was discovered in the 80s. The first study was conducted in 1886, which concluded that the cause of death was head trauma. Scientists then presented several theories. According to one, the Pharaoh was killed on the battlefield by the Hyksos, who had occupied Egypt for 100 years before the year 1650-1550 BC. Other scholars supported the theory that he was captured and executed. According to another theory, Pharaoh fell victim to a coup and ended his life while asleep.

The real cause of Pharaoh Seqenenre's death causes historical interest, as his death led to Egypt's unification. Therefore, researchers at Cairo University decided to use modern medical technology to determine the real cause of Pharaoh's death.

Computer tomography and X-ray revealed that Pharaoh had his hands tied behind his back at the time of his death and had been fatally struck by five different types of weapons.

"Seqenenre's death was presumably a ritual death sentence. The bounded man could not otherwise have been hit from 5 different angles," said the lead author of the study, Dr. Sahar Salim. He revealed that Pharaoh was fighting along the front line with his soldiers to liberate Egypt.

Professor Salim and his co-author, archaeologist, and former Egyptian antiquities minister Zahi Hawass, were the first to use computer tomography to study the mummies of pharaohs and queens of the new kingdom. They explored such famous pharaohs as Hatshepsut, Tutankhamun, Ramesses II, Thutmose III, and Ramesses III.

"And only one of them, Seqenenre, was killed on the battlefield," he said.

Based on morphological details found in X-ray images, the authors determined that Pharaoh was about 40 years old at the time of his death. In addition, computer tomography revealed important details of his mummification. For example, the fact that mummifies used a sophisticated method to cover wounds on the head is similar to the methods used in modern plastic surgery. According to the authors, this means that the mummification took place in the laboratory.

Scientists note that their discovery provides important information about the transition period in Egypt.

"Seqenenre's death inspired his heirs to continue fighting for the unification of Egypt, and thus began the history of the new kingdom," Salim said.

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