[Tutankhamun and sickle-cell anaemia].

Area of Science:

• Paleopathology
• Ancient Egyptian History
• Genetics

Background:

• Previous theories suggested malaria as the cause of death for Tutankhamun.
• The hypothesis of homozygotic sickle-cell anaemia (HbSS) or double heterozygosity (HbS/β₀thal) has been proposed.
• Skeletal anomalies in Tutankhamun's mummy require careful interpretation.

Observation:

• The skeletal anomalies observed in Tutankhamun's mummy are not characteristic of sickle-cell disease (HbS/β₀thal heterozygosis).
• The bone conditions present are more consistent with Freiberg-Kohler syndrome, a rare condition affecting the foot.

Findings:

• The survival of a pharaoh with homozygotic sickle-cell anaemia to age 19 is statistically improbable, given the low life expectancy for such individuals.
• The specific location of osteonecrosis in the mummy's skeleton aligns with Freiberg-Kohler syndrome, not sickle-cell disease.

Implications:

• Revisiting the cause of Tutankhamun's death based on new interpretations of skeletal evidence.
• This challenges established theories and opens new avenues for research into ancient Egyptian royal health and disease.