Amduat Papyrus at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina

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The BA Antiquities Museum displays part of the papyrus of the famous book Amduat or "What is in the Netherworld", in light of the close and joint cooperation between the BA, the Supreme Council of Antiquities at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat.

This papyrus is of great archaeological value, as it was displayed as part of the “In the Afterlife” hall of the Antiquities Museum, documenting the era of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt (circa 1539-1292 BC). Of all the Books of the Netherworld, Amduat is the clearest in its description of the voyage of the sun deity through the twelve nocturnal hours.

The main concept of the Amduat is the regeneration of the sun deity. The regeneration in this treatise flows through twelve sections (hours) from sunset to sunrise. On his journey through the netherland, the sun deity experiences a profound process of physical and cognitive transformation, as various obstacles and demonic creatures try to stop the sun boat.

It is worth mentioning that the papyrus was first displayed at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, followed by the National Museum of Civilization in Fustat, and was finally prepared for permanent display at the BA Antiquities Museum (In the Afterlife hall).


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