Feb. 3, 2006 — King Tutankhamun died of an infection set in by a wound in the left knee, according reports in the Italian press which disclose the conclusions of new research on the 3,300-year-old boy pharaoh.

Eduard Egarter Vigl, the caretaker of Ötzi the Iceman, and Paul Gostner, head of radiology at Bolzano General Hospital were both members of the Egyptian-led research team that last year begun examining King Tut's CT scan images.

They found compelling new evidence for a deadly infection after examining three-dimensional images of the left knee and foot, the local daily Alto Adige reported.

The CT scan revealed that King Tut's kneecap was broken, as well as his left foot. Moreover, the embalming liquid had entered the spaces within the knee fracture, a clear sign that the pharaoh was mummified when the wounds were still open.

"In the left knee we found traces of gold leaf decorations, probably depicting birds. They were deformed because they entered the knee violently," Egarter told Alto Adige.

According to the Italian doctors, it was likely that King Tut suffered a violent blow, most likely by a sword. The blow would have lodged gold fragments from the decorations of the pharaoh's armour or dress into the knee.

Shortly after, infection set in, bringing Tutankhamun to death at the age of about 19.

Indeed, about 130 walking sticks found among King Tut's fabulous treasure would support the theory he may have had trouble with walking during the last days of his life.

The best-known pharaoh of ancient Egypt, King Tut has been puzzling scientists ever since his mummy- and treasure-packed tomb was discovered in 1922 the Valley of the Kings by British archaeologist Howard Carter.

Only a few facts about his life are know. Tut.ankh.Amun, "the living image of Amun," ascended the throne in 1333 B.C., at the age of nine, and reigned until his death in 1325 B.C., aged 19. He was a pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty, probably the greatest of the Egyptian royal families.

Prior to the CT scan last year, archaeologists last opened Tutankhamun's tomb in 1968, when British scientist Ronald Harrison took a series of X-rays. The radiographs revealed a bone fragment in his skull, prompting speculation that the boy pharaoh was killed by a blow to the head.

But the CT scan revealed that the fragments were not broken because of an an injury incurred before death, but during the embalming process.

"Tutankhamun did not die from a blow to the head, but from an infection," Egarter said.

Egarter and Gostner are best known for their studies on Ötzi the Iceman.

In 2001, they spotted a flint arrowhead in Ötzi's left shoulder, embarrassing Austrian scientists who been had scrutinising the 5,300 year old mummy for several years.