Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead

From 03 Nov 2010 to 05 Mar 2011

Until 6 March 2011. A series of mythical and spiritual spells rather than one single block of text, the Book of the Dead was viewed in Ancient Egypt as essential reading to ensure eternal life after death in a treacherous underworld.

The finely-illustrated spells were used for over 1,000 years; the oldest being over 3,500 years old. Many such images in the exhibition, on papyrus and linen, hail from the collection of the British Museum, but have never been displayed in public before.

Through a mixture of interactive digital media and ancient treasures including amulets, coffins, funerary figurines, jewellery and statues, the various stages of the journey from death to the hereafter are illuminated.