Journey Through the Afterlife: Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead

4 November 2010 to 6 March 2011

Explore ancient Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife in a fascinating new exhibition at the British Museum in London.

Discover more about ancient Egyptian rituals and beliefs about the afterlife in a captivating exhibition at the British Museum.

Journey Through the Afterlife: Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead displays 3,500 year-old artefacts and documents including spells, haunting images and rituals that helped to prepare the dead for the afterlife.

Ancient Egyptian Beliefs on the Afterlife
The afterlife was an important part of the ancient Egyptian psyche. People believed that a weighing of the heart ceremony decided whether the soul was allowed into the afterlife or destroyed by the gruesome Devourer.

Journey Through the Afterlife: Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead features spells that the Egyptians believed would help to prepare the body for its hazardous journey from burial to life after death.

Highlights of Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead include:

The Book: A collection of spells aimed at preparing the dead for the afterlife
Greenfield Papyrus: The first public showing of the longest Book of the Dead in the world measuring 37m
Paintings from the papyri of Ani and Hunefer and international collections
Artefacts including painted coffins, gilded masks, amulets, jewellery, tomb figurines and mummy trappings
State-of-the-art visualisations and interactive trails taking you on a journey from burial to the afterlife