This book became popular in Egypt during the New Kingdom (1550 BC – 1070 BC). The chapters in the book mostly contain information about people and various spells. In fact, the fact that every spell in the book was written using words from the Egyptian colloquial language draws the attention of researchers.
Another interesting thing is that the book in each tomb is different from the other. In other words, all the copies that make up this book contain different and mysterious spells. So what exactly do these spells mean?
In fact, spells have only one purpose: to make the dead go to the other world as a supreme spirit.
According to Egyptology professor Barry Kemp, these texts helped Egyptians prepare for life after death. Whoever the spells in this book were written for, according to the belief, that person can successfully live in the underworld forever. In fact, one of the main spells in this book is Spell 17, which describes the importance of one of the best-known Egyptian gods, Ra, the sun god.
Some chapters in this book also describe what one may encounter in the next world. For example, according to the book, a person should know that he will give an account of the outcome of his actions on earth to Maat, before going to the other realm, and should be prepared accordingly. Another point that draws attention in these texts is that spells are not gender specific. We can say that spells give the same messages for both men and women.
The Book of the Dead is a guide for the living to understand death.
In other words, this book has a calming function against the fear of death. In addition, I can say that the book allows people to have a foresight about what death is like while they are living, and to take precautions accordingly. In fact, the understanding of the mummification of bodies in Egypt has the same purpose as the writing of these spells. It’s all about people wanting to control their life after death.
In addition, researchers state that these spells are used not only after death, but also while living. Egyptologists state that there are magics and rites in the content of spells to have transcendent/sublime experiences beyond daily life. Most spells even have instructions on how to use them in the world. I think this means that people use the rituals written in these texts in their daily routines, and death is no longer a worrying situation for these people and becomes a normal part of daily life.
Researchers also think that these spells arise from the desire to reach a divine power. To give another interesting information about this book; that not all spells were written on manuscripts, but some were written on mummy bandages and tomb walls. Even Tutankhamun’s (one of the Egyptian pharaohs) gold death masks are said to have been spelled.
Discovering the mysterious aspects of Egypt excites those who are interested in the subject more and more every day. The fact that a different mystery about Egypt is constantly coming to light makes this civilization very interesting. You do not think so?
Sources: Live Science, Britannica
25453
