The book that guides souls to the afterlife was discovered alongside lost ancient items including mummies, canopic jars, amulets, and statues in Central Egypt.
The cemetery also featured a collection of artifacts, such as stone and wood coffins, over 25,000 ushabti statues, utensils, and stone and wooden amulets, along with canopic jars.A key object was discovered among the artifacts dating back to the New Kingdom – a well-preserved papyrus scroll measuring 43 to 49 feet, containing portions of the "Book of the Dead.” This ancient Egyptian text guides the deceased to the afterlife.
The Book of the Dead symbolizes ancient Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife and provides insights into their spiritual and religious practices. “In addition to the long-form papyrus versions of the Book of the Dead, spells and passages from the text were recorded in other places – on tomb walls, mummy wrappings, and even inside King Tut’s golden mask,” statedStudying the Book of the Dead and its context from the recent cemetery discovery could potentially enhance further experience of the public’s views on death, the soul's journey, and the elaborate preparations made for the deceased to navigate the afterlife.