Die like an Egyptian

As if the ancient Egyptians did not have enough to contend with in daily life—what with marauding crocodiles, venomous snakes, and locust plagues—they were convinced that after death they had to negotiate a perilous journey to reach paradise.

Surviving this gruelling voyage through an underworld populated by vengeful gods and terrifying demons required all the ingenuity a wandering spirit could muster. And so the resourceful builders of the pyramids armed their deceased with a handy pocket-sized scroll that contained all the spells and guidance that might conceivably be needed to attain eternal life.

Combining map, passport, and travel guide—a kind of Rough Guide to Hell—these papyruses became known collectively as “the book of the dead.” Skilfully inked in black and red hieroglyphics, lavishly illustrated in vivid colours, and lovingly personalised to suit each individual’s likely passage, these exquisite artefacts provide a key to understanding the rich belief system of …