A BPN Original | Written by Independent Rob

This article marks the first entry in BPN’s “Hidden Pharaohs” series — exploring Africa’s ancient rulers whose names still echo through time but whose true identities are often misunderstood or erased.

The Boy King Who Ruled a Kingdom

King Tutankhamun — or “King Tut” as the world knows him — ruled Egypt more than 3,300 years ago (around 1332–1323 BCE) during the 18th Dynasty.
He became pharaoh at just 9 years old and reigned until his death at 18 or 19. His story is one of mystery, legacy, and rediscovery — a tale that captured the world’s imagination when his nearly intact tomb was uncovered in 1922.

From Tutankhaten to Tutankhamun

Tut was named initially Tutankhaten, meaning “Living Image of Aten.”
His father, Pharaoh Akhenaten, had tried to replace Egypt’s traditional gods with one deity — Aten, the sun disk.
After Akhenaten’s death, Egypt was in turmoil. Young Tut changed his name to Tutankhamun (“Living Image of Amun”) and restored the old religion of the god Amun, earning the people’s favor and stabilizing the throne.

Even as a boy, Tut’s leadership marked the return of balance — the restoration of faith and power in Egypt.

A Short Life, a Long Legacy

Though he ruled for less than a decade, King Tut left behind treasures that told the story of a civilization at its peak:

• His golden death mask, one of the most recognized artifacts on Earth, symbolized divine kingship.
• His tomb contained over 5,000 artifacts — chariots, weapons, jewelry, and statues.
• Unlike many other tombs, Tut’s was found mostly untouched, hidden in the Valley of the Kings until British archaeologist Howard Carter uncovered it in 1922.

The discovery sparked what newspapers called “Tutmania” — a worldwide fascination with ancient Egypt that continues to this day.

⚰️ How Did King Tut Die? The Mystery of the Boy Pharaoh

King Tutankhamun’s death remains one of history’s great puzzles. He died suddenly around 1323 BCE, still in his teens. For nearly a century, theories have swirled — from murder to malaria.

Early Theories: Murder or Accident

When Tut’s mummy was first examined in the 1920s, a hole in the back of his skull led some to believe he’d been assassinated.
However, later CT scans showed the hole was made after death during mummification — not a fatal wound.

Another theory pointed to a chariot accident — X-rays revealed a broken left thighbone and crushed ribs. If the wound became infected, it could’ve caused deadly blood poisoning.

Modern Science Tells a Different Story

In 2010, Egyptian scientists used DNA analysis and CT scans to uncover new facts:

• Tut had malaria — the oldest confirmed case in history.
• He was physically fragile, with a clubfoot and cleft palate.
• His parents were brother and sister, causing genetic disorders.

It’s now believed Tut died from a combination of malaria, infection from his broken leg, and inherited health issues.

He wasn’t murdered by rivals. He was a fragile young king whose body bore the weight of royal bloodlines.

Was King Tut Black?

While ancient Egypt’s population was diverse, its roots were African — especially in Upper Egypt and Nubia.
Art, culture, and language connect ancient Kemet (Egypt) to Black African civilizations along the Nile and in the Sahara.

Ancient Egypt was not separate from Africa — it was Africa. And King Tut was its royal son.

Modern reconstructions that show Tut as light-skinned are controversial and often influenced by Eurocentric bias. Historical evidence — from statues, murals, and DNA ancestry — supports a North-East African origin, not a Middle Eastern or European one.

The Curse and the Myth

After Tut’s tomb was opened, several members of the excavation team died mysteriously, giving rise to the legend of “The Pharaoh’s Curse.”
Though science later blamed bacteria sealed in the tomb, the myth added to Tut’s power — transforming him from forgotten king to eternal icon.

The True Legacy

King Tut wasn’t Egypt’s mightiest ruler — but he became the most famous. His tomb’s survival preserved a complete picture of life, art, and faith in ancient Africa.

He ruled less than a decade, but his death revealed a civilization’s soul — proving that Africa’s past was golden long before the world called it ancient.