Talking Pyramids

The ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead is an important document to understanding the religion of the ancient Egyptians. Based on the earlier Pyramid Texts which were inscribed on the walls of Old Kingdom pyramids, the Book of the Dead was usually inscribed on papyrus and buried with the king’s body.

The Book of the Dead could be thought of as a manual for the deceased and vital for the soul’s safe passage through the afterlife.

The term “Book of the Dead” is actually a modern term and was not what the ancient Egyptians knew it as. To them it was referred to as “The Chapters of Going Forth by Day” and as such had a more positive connotation. Later it was adapted and became known as the “Book of Breathings”.

The papyrus of Amen-em-hat at the ROM
The papyrus of Amen-em-hat, which dates to around 300 BC, has just received a new a lease of new life. Part of the papyrus had been on display in the Royal Ontario Museum for many years but lying hidden in the storage vaults of the museum was another large section of the papyrus, still rolled up as it was when it was buried with the body of the ancient Egyptian King thousands of years ago.

It wasn’t until a student from the German University of Bonn set an enquiry in 2003 to the ROM that it was realised they’ve been in possession of the rest of the papyrus since it was given to the Museum a hundred years ago.

Roberta Shaw explains in the following videos from the ROM ‘s website:

The seven meter papyrus scroll is currently on display as part of the museum’s Out of the Vaults: Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead exhibition which runs until May 10.

A related video from the ROM from June last year:

Bringing the Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead to Life

Roberta Shaw, Assistant Curator of Egyptian Arts & Culture, introduces the restoration project of the ROM’s Book of the Dead of Amen-em-hat. A team from the University of Bonn worked throughout May 2008 to piece together this rare ancient Egyptian papyrus dating to about 320 BC.

Video Podcast (21.4MB, 6m 03s)
Written Transcript (PDF)

Purchase:
Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead – Raymond Faulkner
Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead – E.A. Wallis Budge
Purchase ancient Egyptian figurines from the Talking Pyramids Games Shop

Free Downloads
Book of the Dead Vol 1. Wallis Budge
Book of the Dead Vol 2. Wallis Budge
More books can be found in the Pyramid Texts Online Library

Related Photos:
Book of the Dead photos by Mary Harrsch
Other editions of Book of the Dead papyrii

Related Links:
A little piece of the afterlife at the Globe and Mail.
Book of the Dead at Egyptology Online
Plates from the Book of the Dead at Sacred Texts
Pyramid Texts of Unas at Pyramid Texts Online

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