Last Judgement of Hunefer, from his tomb (page from the Book of the Dead)
Hunefer’s Judgement in the presence of Osiris, Book of the Dead of Hunefer, c. 1275 B.C.E. (19th Dynasty, New Kingdom, Thebes, Egypt), papyrus, The British Museum.
The Pyramids of Giza, The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Temple of Amun-Re are all ancient Egyptian tombs for the dead. For the ancient Egyptians, death held a critical role in one’s life for it was seen not as the end their life but rather a transition from one part of life to the next. In fact, the ancient Arabic word for death, al mawt, is the same as that of ancient Egyptian, and was also used as the word for mother. Thus, a connection between the experience of death and birth was established, emphasizing the cyclical nature of life.
Once ones sole successfully passed through the final judgement of Osiris, they entered the eternal paradise, known as the Field of Reeds, a place where all of ones goods lost during death were returned to them and they lived in eternal bliss. As a result, death held a significant role in ancient Egyptian culture as seen by the construction of massive monuments, the preservation of the dead, and the consistency found in death rituals over thousands of years. The last judgement of Hunefer in the Book of the Dead provides an incredibly detailed description, both visually and linguistically, of the role of death as a period of trial and transition.
Written on papyrus, the Book of the Dead was an ancient text with spells, prayers, and incantations to help guide you to the afterlife. Originally dedicated for kings, this book came to be used by people of high administrative ranking who were close to the king. In this case, Hunefer was a royal scribe, scribe of divine offerings, and overseer of royal cattle, rendering him an important man in ancient Egypt. Thus, upon his death, a Book of the Dead was created to guide him to the afterlife.
Intended to be read left to right, at the top we see Hunefer, dressed in a white robe, addressing a group of deities – Ra, Atum, She, Tefnut, Get, Nut, Horus, Isis, Nephthys, Hu, and Sia – to profess the good life he lived. Below this, we see a scene of judgement where Anubis, a jackal headed god associated with the death and mummification, leads Hunefer by the hand to see if he deserves to go to the afterlife. In his left hand, Anubis holds an Ankh, symbolizing eternal life, the very thing Hunefer is after.
Next, we see Anubis adjusting a scale holding Hunefer’s heart on the left and a feather on the right. The feather is owned by Maat, the deity associated with divine order, and symbolizes the life one should live in order to enter the Field of Reeds. In Hunefer’s case, the feather is heavier than his heart, meaning he has lived an ethical and ordered life. However, had he not lived an ethical life, his heart would have been eaten by Ammit, the crocodile-lion-hippo sitting under the scale, ending his cycle of life forever. To the right, with the head of a bird and an outstretched arm, is Thoth, who records the proceedings, writing that Hunefer has succeeded.
Finally, we see Hunefer being introduced to Osiris by his son Horus, the figure depicted with the head of a falcon. Sitting on a throne, Osiris carries many symbols of Egypt and sits behind a lotus blossom, symbolizing eternal life (yet again). On top of the Lotus blossom, we see Horus’ four children – the cardinal directions. Along with the Book of the Dead, many tombs and burial sites held containers of Horus’ four sons which contained the vital organs of the deceased in order to preserve them. Above the Lotus blossom, we see Horus represented as an eye with talons holding an ostrich feather, symbolizing eternal life (yet again). The two females behind Osiris’ throne are Isis, Osiris’ wife, and Nephthys, Anubis’ sister.
Throughout the Last Judgement of Hunefer in the Book of the Dead, symbols of eternal life and deities associated with death can be found all over the page. The role of death in ones life, and the judgement of their life depicted in this book, underscore the importance of death in ancient Egypt. This book was an important step in guiding himself into the after life, and as a scribe, maybe he wrote it himself, we will never know.
