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Original fileFragment of the Papyrus of Ani: Book of the Dead
Fragment from the Egyptian Book of the Dead – Papyrus of Ani, Louvre, Paris, France
About This Work
The image features a close-up of a weathered papyrus document covered in dense columns of hieroglyphic writing. The text is arranged in distinct vertical registers separated by thin black lines. The characters, executed in black, include various birds, snakes, human figures, eyes, and geometric shapes, with selective phrases highlighted in red ink. The papyrus shows signs of age, including a rough, textured surface with minor tears and losses along the upper and right edges.
This is a portion of the Papyrus of Ani, a premier example of a New Kingdom funerary text containing spells, incantations, and rituals intended to guide the deceased through the Duat (the underworld) to the afterlife. It represents one of the most significant surviving primary sources for understanding ancient Egyptian theology and funerary practices.
Inscriptions(Egyptian (Hieroglyphic))
A series of vertical columns of Egyptian hieroglyphic text in black and red ink.
Translation
The text contains various spells and ritual instructions from the Book of the Dead, including segments of hymns and protective incantations.