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Book of the Dead of the Priest of Horus, Imhotep (Imuthes)

Early Ptolemaic Period
ca. 332–200 B.C.
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 134
This papyrus is inscribed for a priest of the god Horus named Imhotep. His coffin was found in 1913 at the cemetery of Meir, and this papyrus, along with a second (35.9.21a–o), most likely comes from his burial.

Imhotep's Book of Coming forth by Day, commonly known as a Book of the Dead, was designed to help Imhotep make a successful transition from death to eternal life, and to ensure his safety and well-being in the realm of the dead. Written in a cursive script known as hieratic and read from right to left, it is divided into 182 columns, each containing one or more spells, incantations, or prayers. A continuous frieze of vignettes along the top, as well as larger drawings filling the height of the papyrus, illustrate or substitute for individual spells. Neither texts nor images follow a narrative sequence, but instead represent a compilation of spells grouped, to some extent, by theme.



Links to two blogs about this papyrus:

Scrolling Through Imhotep's Book of the Dead

A New Life for the Book of the Dead

Links to two short videos: - CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

Imhotep's Book of the Dead

The Weighing of the Heart

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Book of the Dead of the Priest of Horus, Imhotep (Imuthes)
  • Period: Early Ptolemaic Period
  • Date: ca. 332–200 B.C.
  • Geography: From Egypt; Probably from Middle Egypt, Meir
  • Medium: Papyrus, ink
  • Dimensions: Approximate measurements (framed): L. 21.9 m (71 ft. 10 3/16 in); H. 35 cm (1 ft. 1 3/4 in.). Length previously estimated at 63 ft. (19.2 m).
  • Credit Line: Gift of Edward S. Harkness, 1935
  • Object Number: 35.9.20a–w
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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