Hatshepsut was a female pharaoh during which time the ancient Egypt had significant prosperity and growth. Her sarcophagus was found in 1903 by Howard Carter and her mummy was identified in 2007 by Zahi Hawass through matching a tooth known to be Hatshepsut’s with an empty socket in the mummy’s jaw and DNA testing.
Her mummy revealed that she suffered from obesity and diabetes, and she had metastatic cancer in her pelvic bones. Hatshepsut was bald in front and had decayed teeth. Researchers from the University of Bonn found a highly carcinogenic substance in a flask of lotion that belonged to Hatshepsut. This bottle of cream belonging to Hatshepsut was found in her tomb and contained a carcinogenic moisturizer. She was suffering from eczema and her mummy revealed she had lesions on her skin, on neck and face.
The lotion she was supposedly using for years contained benzopyrene which is one of the most dangerous substances known and is banned from today’s cosmetics. other experts are not convinced that Hatshepsut poisoned herself to death while trying to soothe her itchy skin.
Her mummy revealed a possible skin disorder, but some experts stated that resins used in the mummification process could have been responsible for the eruptions found on the skins of Hatshepsut.
Further reading and suggested videos:
Did Queen Hatshepsut Moisturize Herself to Death?
Queen Hatshepsut Facts – Hatshepsut Mummy – Hatshepsut Achievements (tripsinegypt.com)
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