New tests on King Tut’s body show how he died

An archaeological worker looks across at the face of the linen-wrapped mummy of King Tut as he is removed from his stone sarcophagus in his underground tomb in the famed Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt. (Ben Curtis / Associated Press)

Research trumps old tales of intrigue in the death of the boy king. Examination shows he had a cleft palate, clubfoot and degenerative bone disease -- but he probably didn't look like a woman.

Excerpt:

“Archaeologists have weaved elaborate tales of intrigue and deceit about the death at age 19 of Egypt's fabled boy-king Tutankhamen, with theories that include poisoning by his regent Aye and a blow to the head by thugs hired by Aye, but new research indicates his cause of death was probably more mundane -- complications from a broken leg and malaria.”

Read the whole story here.