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Book Review, © Copyright 1999, Jim Loy
Years ago, I had heard that Tutankhamen (teenage king of Egypt) had been murdered, with a blow to the back of the head. Then I heard no more about it. And, the various encyclopedias, and books in libraries, never mentioned it. And I figured that it was just a rumor. Well, the rumor seems to have been true. A full autopsy has not been done. But x-rays have been taken. There seems to be a fracture in the back of the skull. Was it an accident? After Tutankhamen's death, his young wife (Ankhesenamen) sent two amazing letters to the king of the Hittites, the enemy, saying that she was afraid, and asking the king to send one of his sons for her to marry. A Hittite prince was sent, and was murdered, causing a war. Then Ankhesenamen married Tutankhamen's vizier Aye, making him king. And then she disappeared from history. Another murder?
It is an interesting, and sad story. I recommend this book. Find out which of the prime suspects, Aye or Horemheb, probably ordered the murder(s). And read the fascinating story of the turmoil during the reign of Akhenaten (probably Tutankhamen's father).
[Incidentally, there is a bone chip, inside Tutankhamen's skull. This chip was certainly broken off after death, probably during mummification.]
To order this book from Amazon.com (goes directly to this book).