Who reigned before the boy king Tutankhamun?

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Two of Tutankhamun's Sisters Jointly Ruled Before His Accession

New research suggests that the throne of ancient Egypt was jointly held by two of Tutankhamun's sisters before he ascended to power. This theory, presented by Egyptologist Valerie Angenot of Universite du Quebec a Montreal (UQAM), challenges previous understandings of the succession following the reign of Akhenaten. Angenot's analysis of symbols indicates that these two daughters of Akhenaten seized power after his death, ruling together.
Joint Rule by Akhenaten's Daughters

Valerie Angenot's theory posits that two of Akhenaten's daughters jointly assumed the pharaonic title after his passing. Previously, scholars debated whether Nefertiti or Princess Meritaten, Akhenaten's eldest daughter, had reigned alone. Angenot's work, based on a detailed analysis of symbols, points to a dual occupancy of the throne by two sisters, who adopted a common regnal name.
Tutankhamun's Youth Necessitated Co-Rulers

The young Tutankhamun was only four or five years old when his father, Akhenaten, died. Given his tender age, it would have been impossible for him to govern effectively at that time. Akhenaten had fathered six daughters before Tutankhamun, and inscriptions suggest he was preparing at least two of them, Meritaten and Neferneferuaten Tasherit, for leadership roles.
Symbolic Evidence Supports Dual Queenship

Angenot's research hinges on the interpretation of symbolic evidence, which she presented at the annual conference of the American Research Center in Egypt. While Egyptology is often considered a conservative field, her hypothesis was reportedly well-received by many in the academic community. This finding could offer new insights into the complex succession practices and the dynamics of the Amarna Period in ancient Egyptian history.

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Who reigned before the boy king Tutankhamun?

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