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[1]Exit _Life in Ancient Egypt_
Funerary Customs

_Much of our knowledge about ancient Egyptian culture comes from
archaeological evidence uncovered in tombs._ Objects, inscriptions, and
paintings from tombs have led Egyptologists to conclude that what appeared
to be a preoccupation with death was in actuality an overwhelming desire
to secure and perpetuate in the afterlife the "good life" enjoyed on
earth.

_Over the more than three thousand years of ancient Egypt's history,
traditional beliefs about the transition to eternal life persisted, with
new ideas being incorporated from time to time._ Most important for full
participation in the afterlife was the need for an individual's identity
to be preserved. Consequently, the body had to remain intact and receive
regular offerings of food and drink.

The afterlife was assured by (1) preserving the body through
[2]mummification; (2) protecting the body in a tomb in which the name of
the deceased was inscribed; and (3) providing the deceased with food and
drink or illustrations of it in case no one was available to make the
offerings.

_To protect the [3]spirit of the deceased, scenes and inscriptions were
written on coffins and the walls of tombs._ These texts included such
writings as adaptations of the myth about the death of Osiris and spells
to protect the deceased on his or her dangerous journey to the underworld.
Figures known as [4]shabtis functioned as servants for the deceased.

The final step in the transition to the afterlife was the judgment by
Osiris, god of the underworld, in a ritual known as the [5]Weighing of the
Heart. If a person had led a decent life, he or she would be judged worthy
of eternal life. Many spells and rituals were designed to ensure a
favorable judgment and were written in the papyrus or linen "Book of the
Dead."

_All ancient Egyptians believed in the afterlife and spent their lives
preparing for it._ Pharaohs built the finest [6]tombs, collected the most
elaborate funerary equipment, and were mummified in the most expensive
way. Others were able to provide for their afterlives according to their
earthly means. Regardless of their wealth, however, they all expected the
afterlife to be an idealized version of their earthly existence.

[7]Daily Life 
[8]Orientation 
[9]Chronology 
[10]Natural World 
[11]Gods and Religion 

[12]Back [13]Exit [14]Next 

[15]Carnegie Museum of Natural History

References

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