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| Tutankhamun's knife was 'made from meteorite iron' | Tutankhamun's knife was 'made from meteorite iron' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A dagger entombed alongside the mummy of Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun was made with iron that came from a meteorite, researchers say. | A dagger entombed alongside the mummy of Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun was made with iron that came from a meteorite, researchers say. |
| The weapon was one of a pair of daggers discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1925 within the burial wrappings of the teenaged king. | The weapon was one of a pair of daggers discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1925 within the burial wrappings of the teenaged king. |
| The origin of its unrusted iron blade has baffled scientists because such metalwork was rare in ancient Egypt. | The origin of its unrusted iron blade has baffled scientists because such metalwork was rare in ancient Egypt. |
| Tutankhamun was mummified more than 3,300 years ago. | Tutankhamun was mummified more than 3,300 years ago. |
| Italian and Egyptian researchers used "a non-invasive X-ray technique" to confirm the composition of the iron without damaging it, according to a study published in the journal of Meteoritics and Planetary Science. | Italian and Egyptian researchers used "a non-invasive X-ray technique" to confirm the composition of the iron without damaging it, according to a study published in the journal of Meteoritics and Planetary Science. |
| Tutankhamun's beard glued back on | Tutankhamun's beard glued back on |
| 'High chance' of chamber in Tut's tomb | 'High chance' of chamber in Tut's tomb |
| "Meteoritic iron is clearly indicated by the presence of a high percentage of nickel," the study's main author, Daniela Comelli, said. | "Meteoritic iron is clearly indicated by the presence of a high percentage of nickel," the study's main author, Daniela Comelli, said. |
| The researchers say the presence of iron - along with levels of nickel and cobalt - "strongly suggests an extraterrestrial origin". | The researchers say the presence of iron - along with levels of nickel and cobalt - "strongly suggests an extraterrestrial origin". |
| They compared the composition of the dagger to known meteorites within 2,000km around the Red Sea coast of Egypt, and found that one in particular - which landed 150 miles (240km) west of Alexandria - contained similar levels of nickel and cobalt. | They compared the composition of the dagger to known meteorites within 2,000km around the Red Sea coast of Egypt, and found that one in particular - which landed 150 miles (240km) west of Alexandria - contained similar levels of nickel and cobalt. |
| Ancient Egyptians attached great significance to meteoritic iron for the production of fine ornamental or ceremonial objects, the researchers say. | Ancient Egyptians attached great significance to meteoritic iron for the production of fine ornamental or ceremonial objects, the researchers say. |
| "They were aware that these rare chunks of iron fell from the sky already in the 13th [Century] BCE, anticipating Western culture by more than two millennia," they write in their findings. | "They were aware that these rare chunks of iron fell from the sky already in the 13th [Century] BCE, anticipating Western culture by more than two millennia," they write in their findings. |
| The high manufacturing quality of the blade in comparison with other simple-shaped meteoritic iron artefacts "suggests a significant mastery of ironworking in Tutankhamun's time", they say. | The high manufacturing quality of the blade in comparison with other simple-shaped meteoritic iron artefacts "suggests a significant mastery of ironworking in Tutankhamun's time", they say. |
| The dagger - which features a decorated gold handle and a gold sheath with a floral lily motif on one side and a feather pattern on the other - is now on display at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. | The dagger - which features a decorated gold handle and a gold sheath with a floral lily motif on one side and a feather pattern on the other - is now on display at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. |
| Tutankhamun (1336 BC - 1327 BCE) | Tutankhamun (1336 BC - 1327 BCE) |
| iWonder: How do you solve the mystery of Tutankhamun's death? |