King Tut's daughters
Archaeologist Howard Carter made King Tut a star in 1922 when he opened the pharaoh's tomb in Egypt's Valley of the Kings. Soon, scientists may make Tut a parent. DNA tests will show if he fathered two fetuses found in the tomb with him.
No public results yet, but this week a noted anthropologist told conference-goers at the University of Manchester that the babies are likely twins, even though they're different ages (one's about three months in gestational age, the other five). And they probably belonged to Tut.
Web search digs up more details on the pharaoh, his mummy and his probable daughters:
His life: It's not easy piecing together such an ancient past. Tutankhamun ruled during Egypt's 18th dynasty (1550-1292 B.C.). Known as the Boy King, he became pharaoh when still a child and died around age 19. Young, but still old enough to be a dad.
His death: The new DNA tests aren't the first experiments done on Tut's mummy. CT scans show injuries that might point to his murder. Could his wife or adviser have plotted his death?
His girls: Tut's death left Egypt's rule in the hands of his adviser because Tut had no surviving children — scientists suspect the two daughters in his tomb were stillborn.
His legacy: He had no living heirs, but related searches for Tut reveal what he did leave behind: ivory canopic jars, lavishly decorated furniture and his famous golden death mask.
Oh, and inspiration for a Steve Martin song.
Archaeologist Howard Carter made King Tut a star in 1922 when he opened the pharaoh's tomb in Egypt's Valley of the Kings. Soon, scientists may make Tut a parent. DNA tests will show if he fathered two fetuses found in the tomb with him.
No public results yet, but this week a noted anthropologist told conference-goers at the University of Manchester that the babies are likely twins, even though they're different ages (one's about three months in gestational age, the other five). And they probably belonged to Tut.
Web search digs up more details on the pharaoh, his mummy and his probable daughters:
His life: It's not easy piecing together such an ancient past. Tutankhamun ruled during Egypt's 18th dynasty (1550-1292 B.C.). Known as the Boy King, he became pharaoh when still a child and died around age 19. Young, but still old enough to be a dad.
His death: The new DNA tests aren't the first experiments done on Tut's mummy. CT scans show injuries that might point to his murder. Could his wife or adviser have plotted his death?
His girls: Tut's death left Egypt's rule in the hands of his adviser because Tut had no surviving children — scientists suspect the two daughters in his tomb were stillborn.
His legacy: He had no living heirs, but related searches for Tut reveal what he did leave behind: ivory canopic jars, lavishly decorated furniture and his famous golden death mask.
Oh, and inspiration for a Steve Martin song.
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