Stunning discovery: A copy of the Book of the Dead may have emerged from a 3,000-year-old Egyptian tomb
An undisturbed cemetery dating back thousands of years has been uncovered in Middle Egypt, where – alongside mummies and statues – a copy of the Book of the Dead has also been found. This discovery could fundamentally reshape our understanding of ancient civilisation.
The burial practices of ancient Egypt have long fascinated scholars. Beyond the intricate system of mummies, amulets, and ritual objects, the list of remarkable finds has now grown with yet another exceptionally rare discovery, Popular Mechanics reports.
Egyptian archaeologists have excavated a New Kingdom–era cemetery in Middle Egypt that is more than 3,000 years old. The site has attracted enormous attention not only because of the multitude of tombs and the astonishing number of sacred objects, but also due to a special papyrus scroll. This scroll is a copy of the legendary Book of the Dead, and its exceptional state of preservation makes it a global sensation.
The scroll is preserved in remarkably good condition
The cemetery was likely in use between 1550 and 1070 BCE, and according to archaeologists, it is one of the richest sites in the Al-Ghuraifa region. Mustafa Waziri, Secretary-General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, emphasised that the papyrus discovered is in exceptionally good condition.
This alone is extraordinary, as papyri from the New Kingdom that have survived in such quality are extremely rare – and this is the first such find in the region.
The Book of the Dead existed in many variations
The Book of the Dead – more accurately translated as “The Book/Chapters of Going Forth by Day” – played a key role in ancient Egyptian burial rites. The scrolls contained various instructions and prayers intended to help the soul of the deceased pass safely through the gates of the afterlife.
As the content varied from author to author, every newly discovered copy offers a different approach to the interpretation of Egyptian religion and belief. Researchers note that theories are constantly evolving as new translations and artefacts come to light.
The newly unearthed papyrus is estimated to be between 13 and 15 metres long, but researchers have not yet released detailed information about the text itself. Foy Scalf, Egyptologist at the University of Chicago, also pointed out that it is extremely rare to find such a papyrus in the tomb where it was originally buried.
Several other fascinating artefacts uncovered
Although the papyrus is the highlight of the discoveries, other finds from the cemetery are also noteworthy. Archaeologists uncovered stone and wooden sarcophagi, more than 25,000 ushabti figurines, as well as thousands of stone and wooden amulets, canopic jars, and various other objects.
One particularly interesting find is the coffin of Ta-de-Isa, daughter of Eret Haru, the legendary high priest of Djehuty. Beside her coffin, two wooden boxes containing her canopic jars were found, along with a complete set of ushabtis and a statue depicting Ptah-Sokar, who appears in mythology as an ostrich-like deity.
The discovery has captured not only the attention of the scientific community but also the general public. Current plans indicate that the papyrus will be exhibited in the Grand Egyptian Museum, allowing visitors to view one of the best-preserved copies of the Book of the Dead in the world.