Egyptian Tomb Reveals 13-Foot Book of the Dead Scroll

Here’s a crazy thought- maybe we SHOULDN’T read from this newly discovered 13-foot Book of the Dead scroll, ok? Things are finally starting to get a little bit better than they were in 2020, minus those cocaine hippos. We’re looking at you, Evie.

This scroll was part of the massive find uncovered at the Saqqara Necropolis, where Queen Naert, a previously unheard of monarch from the New Kingdom, has been identified. Naert was the wife of King Teti, first of the Sixth Dynasty rulers of the Old Kingdom (2680–2180 B.C.), in 2010.

Zahi Hawass shared his always infectious excitement with CBS News about this new find, saying “I’d never heard of this queen before. Therefore, we add an important piece to Egyptian history, about this queen.”

Notable items in this find include shrine to the god Anubis, bird-shaped artifacts, games including Senet, a bronze ax, paintings, hieroglyphic writings, and fragments of a 13-foot-long, 3-foot-wide papyrus containing Chapter 17 of the Book of the Dead.

The name of the scroll’s owner, Pwkhaef, is inscribed on the papyrus, as well as on one sarcophagus and four sculptures.

[photos by Ahram Online]