King Tut born of incestuous marriage tests

Ancient Egypt's teenage king Tutankhamun was born into an incestuous marriage, scientists said Wednesday that help to explain why he limped to a club foot and suffered other abnormalities and genetic defects. Research, including tests on the Pharaoh's mummy, discovered in 1922 in the Valley of Kings, showed that his parents were siblings, and he had only paternal grandparents.

Incestuous alliances were common among Egyptian royalty, "said renowned Egyptologist Zahi Harass. "A king can marry his sister and his daughter because he is a god, as Iris and Osiris, and it was only a habit among kings and queens," Harass told a news conference at Cairo's Egyptian Museum.

There has long been speculation about the fate of the king, who died sometime around 1324 BC, probably 19 years old.

Scientists had to provide further information about DNA testing and CT scans performed on Tutankhamun and 15 other mummies between 2007 and 2009. Tuesday, they showed that he had had malaria, a cleft palate and a hereditary bone disease.

"The 21st century medical science allows for a more accurate reconstruction of history," says Albert Zink, a German member of the research team, told Reuters.

Scientists have identified Akhenaton, the "heretic" king who introduced monotheism in ancient Egypt, Tutankhamun's father.

Akhenaton first married Nephrite, who was known for her beauty, but had no sons, so he married her sister in an attempt to get a son.

Harass said that it would take several months to reveal more details about the identity of the Tutankhamen’s mother.