The "Book of the Dead" is an illustrated papyrus scroll placed in the tomb as a guidebook for the deceased during his perilous journey through the "Nether World" in the after life. The Book of the Dead is a composite of ancient Egypt's oldest and most important religious texts and magical spells. Some of the writings come from Egypt's Pre-dynastic period, and were 4,000 years old during the time of Jesus. The Book of the Dead is not a book as we know it, but rolls of papyrus that contain a collection of spells, incantations, prayers, hymns, and rituals that were written by the priests over Egypt's long history.
