Ancient Egypt:
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 mummification.
2. Protecting the body in a tomb in which the name of the deceased
was inscribed.
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 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 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 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 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.
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