ticketsMember | Make a donation

Amduat ("What is in the Netherworld") papyrus inscribed for Gautsoshen

Third Intermediate Period
ca. 1000–945 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 899
This colorful papyrus was found rolled up and placed between the thighs of Gautsoshen's mummy. It contains three scenes depicting the Duat, or netherworld, to which Gautsoshen's spirit traveled at night with the sun. On the right, Gautsoshen stands before the mummified figure of Osiris, king of the netherworld, and Selqet, one of the four goddesses who protected the mummy. In the center, the sun descends into the Duat, where it will meet the mummified body of Osiris. The other figures in this scene are denizens of the netherworld; the twin lions represent the two horizons in which the sun sets and rises, with the sun itself appearing between them. The scene to the left, in two registers, illustrates various aspects of the sun's journey through the netherworld. The text in the center, in four vertical columns, explains the purpose of the papyrus: "May this great god, ruler of the west...cause the secret gates of the necropolis to open to Gautsoshen...so that she may come forth as she wishes."

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Amduat ("What is in the Netherworld") papyrus inscribed for Gautsoshen
  • Period: Third Intermediate Period
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 21
  • Date: ca. 1000–945 BCE
  • Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Tomb MMA 60, Pit, Burial of Gautsoshen (P4), MMA excavations, 1923–24
  • Medium: Papyrus, ink, paing
  • Dimensions: H. 24 × W. 119.5 cm (9 7/16 × 47 1/16 in.); Frame: H. 123.1 × W. 127.9 cm (48 7/16 × 50 3/8 in.)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1925
  • Object Number: 25.3.31
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Book of the Dead of the Priest of Horus, Imhotep (Imuthes), Papyrus, ink
Book of the Dead of the Priest of Horus, Imhotep (Imuthes)
ca. 332–200 B.C.
Fragment of Magical Papyrus, Papyrus, ink
Fragment of Magical Papyrus
ca. 712–525 B.C.
"Amduat" Papyrus of Henettawy, daughter of Isetemkheb, Papyrus, ink
"Amduat" Papyrus of Henettawy, daughter of Isetemkheb
ca. 990–970 B.C.
"Amduat" Papyrus of Djedmutesankh, Papyrus, ink
"Amduat" Papyrus of Djedmutesankh
ca. 1000–945 B.C.
Book of the Dead of Khamhor, Papyrus, ink
Book of the Dead of Khamhor
ca. 630 B.C.

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.