The archaeological evidence for the single-tire configuration only comes from the small toy model now on display at the British Museum.

Unfortunately no actual Roman racing chariots have survived. 'The solution makes full sense in engineering thinking, ancient or modern,' Sandor told Seeker. 'Any iron tire for racing would be a very thin strip of iron on the outside of the wooden rim, best when heat-shrunk on the wood, to consolidate the whole wheel.Īdding the strip of iron to the right wheel improved a charioteer's chances of winning a race to roughly 80 percent, according to a study published in the latest issue of the Journal of Roman Archaeology. 'The basic wheels were always of wood, animal hide glue, and rawhide strips (at critical joints) that tighten upon drying, like clamps,' explained author Bela Sandor, professor emeritus of engineering physics at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. To increase the winning chances in the Formula One of the ancient Romans, an iron rim was mounted on the right wheel only of the two-wheeled chariot. That chariot wasn't just hopelessly huge and heavy - it did not have proper tires.Ī study of a 2,000-year-old toy chariot found in the Tiber River in the early 1890's and now on display at the British Museum, has revealed a secret trick. As with Cleopatra, there’s always another scandalous possibility to consider.When most people imagine chariot racing in ancient Rome, they likely picture the thrilling race portrayed in the epic blockbuster 'Ben-Hur.' Yet it's unlikely the heavy chariot driven by Charlton Heston would ever win a real race. public television’s Channel 4, and won’t necessarily end speculation about Tut’s death. This research, it should be noted, is being broadcast during a special on U.K. Apparently, a reaction between the embalming oils, linen shroud and his body, caused his body to combust in the coffin. A botched mummification process led to Tut’s body suddenly burning soon after it was interred in its tomb. The impact shattered his pelvis and ribs, and crushed his heart so badly that it was unsalvageable for the mummification.Īccording to the researchers, Tut’s troubles didn’t end when he died. This new analysis shows that he was crushed on one side of his body, likely while on his knees.

Their examination of Tut’s remains revealed that he was killed in a horrific chariot accident, they say. After Howard Carter found his tomb in 1922, theories from murder to epilepsy, to malaria have abounded.īut British researchers think they’ve figured it out. King Tutankhamen died 3,336 years ago, at just 19 years old, and death has always been somewhat mysterious.

Were there chariot races in egypt