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Imhotep’s Book of the Dead

This collection of funerary spells, commonly known as a Book of the Dead, belonged to a priest named Imhotep. Placed inside his tomb, this book was designed to help Imhotep make a successful transition from death to eternal life, and to ensure his safety and well-being in the realm of the dead.

Watch this video to learn more about the spells, incantations, and prayers contained in this papyrus.


Papyrus detail showing large seated figure.
Associate Curator Janice Kamrin details one of the highlights of the newly renovated Ptolemaic display, Imhotep's Book of Coming Forth by Day.
Janice Kamrin
July 12, 2016
An aged piece of brown paper with black and red script, with a border illustrating three crocodiles and one person on the top.
Video
Watch a video presenting one of the spells from an Egyptian Book of the Dead.
January 1, 2016
An ornate blue mythical creature with sweeping wings, curled tail, and patterned feathers fills a worn gold manuscript page beside dark decorative letters.
This small plaque of Mark the Evangelist, represented by a lion holding a book between its wings, stands for many stories that illustrate facets of medieval Christian faith.
Guadalupe Nettel
October 8
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