Archaeologists have discovered a 13-meter scroll of the Book of the Dead — a unique relic of Ancient Egypt
In Egypt, archaeologists made an extremely rare find — a long scroll of the "Book of the Dead" with a total length of more than 13 meters (43 feet). This is one of the most voluminous artifacts of its kind discovered in recent decades. This was reported by The Public citing Indiandefencereview.
The "Book of the Dead" is a collection of spells, formulas, and instructions used by the Egyptians to help the soul of the deceased pass through the underworld and reach the afterlife. According to researchers, the found scroll contains a significant portion of texts and rituals, which are only fragmentarily available in previous copies.
According to Indian Defence Review, the scroll contains rich illustrative material and religious texts; the condition of the scroll is good, allowing many details to be restored, which are usually impossible to compensate for when lost.
For science, this discovery is a gift: researchers hope that, thanks to its length and completeness, it will be possible to study more deeply the stages of the burial ritual, the stages of the soul's transition, as well as social aspects — who could afford such scrolls and how ideas about the afterlife changed over time.
Archaeologists have already begun conserving the artifact and digitally scanning it to preserve it and provide access to researchers worldwide. Among the plans are publishing a translation and analysis of the text, which could shed light on ancient Egyptian mythology and religious practices.
This unique relic is yet another proof of how rich and mysterious the culture of Ancient Egypt was. The find has the potential to become one of the most important archaeological discoveries of recent years.
