Archaeologists working at an ancient cemetery in the Al-Guraifa area of central Egypt have discovered a rare well-preserved papyrus with texts from the 'Book of the Dead.' The find has become one of the most valuable among the numerous artifacts uncovered in the New Kingdom necropolis.
The ancient Egyptians meticulously prepared for the afterlife by placing amulets, canopic jars for storing internal organs, ushabti figurines, and scrolls with magical texts in their tombs. Archaeologists discovered such a burial complex in the Al-Guraifa area, reports Popular Mechanics.
The necropolis, dating back to the New Kingdom period (approximately 1550–1070 BC), includes rock-cut tombs, mummies, painted sarcophagi, thousands of amulets, and over 25,000 ushabti figurines. However, the most attention from specialists was drawn to a long papyrus with texts from the 'Book of the Dead,' found directly in one of the burials.
According to Egyptian authorities, the scroll is well-preserved and is the first such large papyrus discovered in the Al-Guraifa area. Its length is estimated to be between 13 and 18 meters.
"If it is indeed that long and well-preserved, then it is undoubtedly a remarkable and very interesting find," noted Lara Weiss, the director general of the German Roemer and Pelizaeus Museum.
Egyptologist Foy Scalf from the University of Chicago emphasized that discovering the papyrus in the very tomb where it was buried thousands of years ago is an extremely rare stroke of luck. However, he noted that final conclusions can only be drawn after the publication of a complete scientific description of the find.
The 'Book of the Dead,' which the ancient Egyptians themselves referred to as the 'Book of Going Forth by Day,' was a collection of spells and instructions intended to help the deceased navigate the trials of the afterlife. Each newly found copy helps scholars better understand the religious beliefs and burial practices of Ancient Egypt.
In addition to the papyrus, archaeologists discovered richly decorated wooden and stone sarcophagi, canopic jars, mummies, thousands of amulets and ushabti figurines, as well as a beautifully preserved painted coffin of Ta-de-Iset, the daughter of the high priest of the god Thoth.
