The first known almost complete version of The Book of Caverns that only has its upper register damaged was located in the Osireion. Sarcophagus of Tjihorpto (Cairo CG 29306) Sarcophagus of general Petiëse (Berlin No. 29) Tomb of the lector priest Petamenophis ( TT 33) Probably complete (now largely destroyed)
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Papyrus amulet of Butehamun (pTurin 1858) Today we know of 13 text witnesses of the Book of Caverns: Text witnessġst and 2nd corridor Sarcophagus chamberįunerary papyrus of queen Nodjmet (pBM EA 10490) It does not have as many pictures as the other books, but it contains much more text. The Book of Caverns is much more literary that other funerary books from the New Kingdom, such as the Amduat or the Book of Gates. This appearance was already recorded by the founding father of Egyptology Jean François Champollion in his letters from Egypt. Later it appears in the tomb of Ramesses IV in the Valley of the Kings. The earliest known version of this work is on the left hand wall of the Osireion in Abydos. The Book of Caverns originated in the 13th century BC in the Ramesside Period. The Book of Caverns is one of the best sources of information about the Egyptian concept of hell. It describes the journey of the sun god Ra through the six caverns of the underworld, focusing on the interaction between the sun god and the inhabitants of the netherworld, including rewards for the righteous and punishments for the enemies of the worldly order, those who fail their judgment in the afterlife. Like all other netherworld books, it is also attested on the inside of kings’ tombs for the benefit of the deceased.
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The Book of Caverns is an important ancient Egyptian netherworld book of the New Kingdom. Fifth division: A scene from tomb of Ramses V./VI.