In 1285 BC, during the reign of Seti I, a royal scribe called Hunefer put the finishing touches to what would become one of the most celebrated examples of ancient Egyptian funerary art. It was a scroll known as ‘The Book of Going Forth By Day’ which contained the instructions and spells he believed would allow him to reach the afterlife safely. Hunefer was buried with this papyrus scroll in the Theban hills, where they both remained until they were discovered 3,300 years later by archaeologists.

At 5.5m long, this Book of the Dead contains columns of detailed instructions, hymns and spells punctuated by beautifully detailed illustrations of Hunefer and the gods. One of the most famous vignettes from the papyrus illustrates Chapter 125 and shows Hunefer navigating the halls of judgment in the underworld.
In the vignette, Hunefer is led into the Hall of Truth by Anubis and is greeted by the gods responsible for deciding whether his soul will enter the afterlife or suffer a terrible fate. His heart has been placed upon a set of scales, and Anubis is weighing it against a feather personifying Maat, the concept of truth, justice and cosmic balance. As the source of Hunefer’s emotions, intellect and character, his heart represents the good and bad aspects of his life, and it now stands witness for him in the trial.

This is a critical moment in Hunefer’s journey; if he fails this test his heart will be devoured by the terrifying beast called Ammit which sits at the scales and his soul will not be able to reach the afterlife. To ensure this doesn’t happen, he recites the words to spell 30B, instructing his heart not to betray him during the weighing and to be found in balance with Maat. This spell is destined to work, and Thoth, scribe of the gods, proclaims to the assembled deities that Hunefer has “been found true on the great balance”. Horus leads Hunefer to a shrine in which his father Osiris sits enthroned, accompanied by the goddesses Isis and Nephthys, and is welcomed to the afterlife.