"King Tut's" tomb was discovered in 1922 in the Valley of the Kings by Howard Carter. Tutankhamun reigned from 1333-23 BCE. He was young when taking the throne at only 9 or 10 and it has been suggested that he probably had powerful advisers to help him in his duties. Research in 2007-2009 has shown that Tut may have had a slight cleft palate and scoliosis. With evidence finding mosquito-borne parasites that cause malaria in his DNA it is very possible these medical issues may have caused his early death at the age of 19. It is interesting to note that Tutankhamun was not a particularly noteworthy ruler of Egypt compared to others. It is perhaps lucky for him that he was excavated by the British in 1922 and not found in the intervening 3,000 years by those who may have raided the site, leading him on to be one of the most well known and preserved "mummies" of all time.
