The Death of Niphururiya and its Aftermath *

Abstract

The identity of the pharaoh called Niphururiya (or Nibhururiya) in the Hittite document commonly known as the ‘Deeds’ of Suppiluliuma is re-examined. Opinion is still largely divided between two candidates—Akhenaten and Tutankhamun; Smenkhkare has recently been suggested as a third possibility. The paper concentrates on three main factors: (1) important revisions to the chronology of Suppiluliuma's reign; (2) a re-examination of the identity of the pharaoh called Huriya in the Amarna letter EA41; (3) a consideration of the fragmentary document KUB XIX 20, a letter written by Suppiluliuma to Niphururiya's successor. These factors establish beyond doubt that Niphururiya was Tutankhamun. While it is clear from the Hittite records that Niphururiya/Tutankhamun died in late summer, evidence from Tutankhamun's tomb indicates that the pharaoh was not buried until the following spring. Thus, an unusually long delay between death and burial, considerably beyond the traditional 70-day period, is indicated. The paper concludes with a discussion of the reasons for this delay.