The Book of the Dead: a Guide for the Soul in Ancient Egypt

In ancient Egypt, death was seen as a continuation of life, but to attain immortality the deceased had to cross the dangerous Duat, the realm of the dead. To navigate this sacred journey, tombs were equipped with the Book of the Dead, a collection of spells, prayers and incantations written in hieroglyphic or hieratic script.

This illustrated guide supported the soul step by step, protecting it from the dangers of the afterlife and helping it pass the judgment of Osiris. Only those pure of heart could enter eternal life, while the others were devoured by the goddess Ammit.

The Book of the Dead at the Egyptian Museum of Turin

Many beautifully preserved papyri still testify to the complexity of these beliefs, including the remarkable 19‑meter Book of the Dead housed at the Egyptian Museum of Turin, in Italy.