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]

Author

Mary Anne Butler

Mary Anne Butler (Mab) has been part of the fast-paced world of journalism since she was 15, getting her start in album reviews and live concert coverage for a nationally published (print) music magazine. She eventually transitioned to online media, writing for such sites as UGO/IGN, ComicsOnline, Geek Magazine, Ace of Geeks, Aggressive Comix (where she is still Editor-in-Chief), Bleeding Cool (where she was News Editor), and now Nerdbot as Editor-In-Chief. Over the past 10 years, she’s built a reputation at conventions across the globe as a cosplayer (occasionally), photographer (constantly), panelist and moderator (mostly), and reporter (always). Interviews, reviews, observations, breaking news, and objective reporting are the name of the game for the founder of Harkonnen Knife Fight, a Dune-themed band with an international presence. Though she be but little, she is fierce.

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