The Egyptian Book of the Dead is one of the oldest religious texts known to man, originating as far back as 4,000 b.c.e. The text begins with the mummification and purification rituals of dead bodies in Ancient Egypt, and proceeds to describe the journey of the soul into the afterlife, foreshadowing many common archetypes prevalent throughout Western Religions, including Christianity, Hellenistic Greek, Early Paganism, and Zoroastrianism. One of the oldest texts recognizing the existence of an "astral body", The Egyptian Book of the Dead is rich in symbolism and dedications to the Egyptian Pantheon of Gods, primarily Osiris, an early prototype for the Christian figure, Jesus Christ. The text predates other well-known Egyptian literature, including The Pyramid Texts, and Coffin Texts. For any serious student interested in the origins of Western Religion and Culture, as well as spiritual journeys in the guise of Egyptian burial rituals, the text is essential to a well-rounded library.
