00:00Well-preserved 49-foot Book of the Dead found in Egypt is the second to ever be found in history.
00:08In central Egypt, archaeologists uncovered a 43-49-foot well-preserved papyrus scroll buried for over 3,000 years.
00:17The text, linked to ancient beliefs about death and the afterlife, offers a rare insight into long-lost spiritual practices
00:24and is considered one of Egypt's most significant archaeological finds.
00:28Archaeologists in central Egypt's Al-Gharifa area, situated in the Minya governorate,
00:33uncovered a remarkably long and well-preserved papyrus scroll buried over 3,000 years ago.
00:39Measuring 43-49 feet, the scroll was discovered during a typical excavation that revealed a high-status New Kingdom tomb,
00:47transforming a routine dig into a landmark archaeological find.
00:51Inside the tomb, researchers found carved sculptures, painted sarcophagi, and ritual jars.
00:57Among these items was the tightly rolled papyrus scroll, unusually long and intact,
01:03signaling its exceptional significance, and its careful preservation suggested that it held knowledge meant to endure beyond its own age.
01:11The Book of the Dead is a collection of ancient Egyptian funerary texts designed to guide the deceased through the afterlife.
01:17Containing spells, prayers, and instructions, the scroll helped the soul navigate obstacles,
01:23prove innocence before the gods, and reach paradise, known as the Field of Reeds.
01:28This discovery marks the second complete Book of the Dead papyrus,
01:32recovered through scientific excavation in over a century,
01:36after the 52-foot Saqqara scroll was found in 2023.
01:39Most known scrolls were acquired by collectors or looters,
01:43making this find exceptional due to its preservation and verified provenance.
01:47Ancient Egyptians called these texts the Book of Coming Forth by Day,
01:52reflecting their role in empowering the soul rather than instilling fear.
01:57Though the tomb's occupant is not yet identified,
02:00artifacts and burial preparations suggest a high-ranking priest or official.
02:04Sealed in a dry tomb, the scroll avoided the deterioration that often affects ancient papyri,
02:10retaining its length, and detailed hieroglyphs.
02:13It includes illustrations and texts describing the weighing of the heart ceremony and protective spells.
02:19Amulets, shabti figurines, mummies, and canopic jars were also recovered,
02:24giving insight into burial rituals of the period.
02:27The scroll provides a nearly complete record of funerary practices,
02:30blending text and illustration, offering scholars a rare glimpse into ancient spiritual life and ethical beliefs.
02:38High-resolution scanning and infrared imaging are being used to decipher faded sections,
02:43preserving the fragile papyrus for study and potential display at Egypt's national museums.
02:49This 49-foot Book of the Dead connects modern researchers
02:53with ancient Egyptian perspectives on morality, death, and the afterlife,
02:58offering an unparalleled insight into one of humanity's earliest spiritual legacies.
Comments