Where to See Papyrus of Ani (Book of the Dead) in London

The Papyrus of Ani is the finest surviving copy of the Egyptian Book of the Dead, an illustrated guide to the afterlife created around 1250 BCE. Unrolled, the scroll stretches 78 feet (24 meters), making it one of the longest papyri ever discovered. The scribe Ani was a royal treasurer who commissioned this elaborate version to ensure his safe passage through the underworld's many trials.

The papyrus contains nearly 200 spells with vivid illustrations showing Ani facing the gods, his heart being weighed against the feather of truth, and his ultimate acceptance into paradise. The famous "Weighing of the Heart" scene shows Anubis operating the scales while Thoth records the verdict. If the heart balanced with truth, the deceased lived forever; if not, the monster Ammit devoured them.

The British Museum acquired the papyrus in 1888 and displays it in sections to protect the fragile pigments.

The papyrus is at the British Museum in London. Its length requires displaying it in sections, rotating which parts are shown.

The Book of the Dead is a collection of spells helping the deceased handle the afterlife. It was customized for each owner and included in tombs for 1,500 years.

Unrolled, it stretches 78 feet (24 meters), one of the longest Egyptian papyri ever found. The text and illustrations were painted by master scribes.

Ani was a royal treasurer during the New Kingdom. His high status allowed him to commission this elaborate version with more spells and finer illustrations than typical copies.

The British Museum acquired the papyrus in 1888 and displays it in sections to protect the fragile pigments.

The papyrus is at the British Museum in London. Its length requires displaying it in sections, rotating which parts are shown.

The Book of the Dead is a collection of spells helping the deceased handle the afterlife. It was customized for each owner and included in tombs for 1,500 years.

Unrolled, it stretches 78 feet (24 meters), one of the longest Egyptian papyri ever found. The text and illustrations were painted by master scribes.

Ani was a royal treasurer during the New Kingdom. His high status allowed him to commission this elaborate version with more spells and finer illustrations than typical copies.

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