The Book Of The Dead is the usual name given to the ancient Egyptian funerary text called the “Spells of Coming (or Going) Forth By Day.” The Book of the Dead was intended to assist the deceased in the afterlife and comprised a collection of hymns, spells and instructions to allow the deceased to pass through obstacles of the gods in the afterlife. The Book Of The Dead was most commonly written on a papyrus scroll and placed in the coffin or burial chamber of the deceased.
An exhibit focusing on the Book Of The Dead follows ancient Egyptians’ journey from death to the afterlife, and it is currently underway at The British Museum in London from now until March 6, 2011. You can learn more about the exhibit including a video narrated by Patrick Stewart at The British Museum’s website here.
CNN posted this feature of the exhibit on their website today:
