The papyrus scrolls known as Books of the Dead were collections of magic spells placed in the tombs of wealthy individuals to ensure their safe passage into the afterlife and their continued wellbeing in the next world. This Book of the Dead, made for a high-ranking official named Ani, shows every stage of this journey in great detail. The funeral scene provides a good starting point for exploring several different aspects of ancient Egyptian belief about the afterlife.
From
Tomb of Ani, Thebes
Date
about 1275 BC
Culture
Egypt, 19th Dynasty
Material
papyrus
Dimensions
length: 61 cm
width: 42.3 cm
Museum
British Museum
(Please always check with the museum that the object is on display before travelling)