King Tut's 'autopsy' reveals surprises

A new "virtual autopsy" gives the clearest picture yet of what King Tut may have looked like.

• Virtual autopsy of King Tut shows Egyptian ruler's body


• Scientists used CT scans to create King Tut image


• Researchers believe King Tut had clubfoot, malaria

(CNN) -- King Tutankhamun's golden, mummified remains tell only a partial story of an ancient Egyptian boy king who died under mysterious circumstances.

But a new "virtual autopsy" of King Tut's body, shown in an upcoming BBC One documentary, has given historians a clearer picture of the young man's life -- and death.

Scientists used CT scans to recreate the first life-size image of Tutankhamun, one of the last rulers of the 18th Dynasty. King Tut ruled from 1333 B.C. until about 1323 B.C. Historians put his age at death at about 19.

Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2010 showed that King Tut may have died of malaria, possibly after suffering an infection in his broken leg. As seen in the new virtual autopsy photo, Tutankhamun's left foot was also severely deformed; the inward angle suggests that he had a clubfoot. Researchers believe the boy king had Kohler disease, a rare bone disorder.

A project to produce an exact replica of the tomb of Tutankhamun took four years.

Laser scanners were used to map the walls in 3-D. The re-created panels were covered with a skin printed with photographic reproductions of the originals.

The panels depict the young pharaoh's voyage to the afterlife following his death in 1327 B.C.

The original tomb was discovered by archeologist Howard Carter in 1922, more than 3,000 years after it had been sealed.

Though the old tomb remains open, it will eventually close to allow conservation work to preserve its crumbling contents.

King Tutankhamun was 19 when he died, just 10 years into his reign. His mummified remains were sealed inside a sarcophagus.

Tutankhamun's remains were placed in a climate-controlled glass case inside the original tomb in 2007 to prevent further decomposition.

The interior of the facsimile of the tomb taken from the viewing gallery; the interior is reflected in the glass cover on top of the sarcophagus.

The replica tomb has been built underground near the entrance to the Valley of the Kings archeological complex.

Tutankhamun's tomb is a key attraction in Egypt, which is struggling to attract tourists amid ongoing political and social upheaval.

Unpacking recreated murals

Final touches to mural panels

Last roof panels put in place

Preparing the sarcophagus

Visitor's view of sarcophagus

Constructing an entrance to the tomb

Building Tutankhamun's replica tomb in Egypt

More than 100 walking sticks were found in Tut's tomb; historians originally thought they represented his power, but it's more likely Tut used them to get around.

Albert Zink, head of the Institute for Mummies and Icemen in Italy, told The Independent it would have been impossible for the king to have died while riding a chariot, as has been previously thought.

"We concluded it would not be possible for him, especially with his partially clubbed foot, as he was unable to stand unaided."

King Tut replica tomb opens to public

Scientists believe genetics and inherited diseases played a role in Tut's bad health because of inbreeding. A genetic analysis of his family's mummies suggests that his parents were siblings.

"Tutankhamun: The Truth Uncovered" will air Sunday on BBC. The Smithsonian will also be showing the documentary on November 2.

CNN's Val Willingham contributed to this story.