Book of the Dead
Suppl. 8438 is a 14 meter long papyrus found in the tomb of the royal architect Kha. He is displayed on the left-hand side of the papyrus together with his wife Merit standing in adoration before the god Osiris. The rest of the papyrus is filled with 33 spells from the so-called "Book of the Dead", of which some are accompanied by images in a vignette. The first vignette to the right of the scene with Osiris shows the coffin of Kha being pulled towards his tomb. Before entering the tomb, the coffin is placed vertically and the "Opening of the Mouth" ritual is performed to restore Kha's senses. The following vignettes depict several images of birds, the god Ptah, a snake, and a lotus flower. The text beneath these vignettes are all spells that would allow Kha to transform himself into the given entity. Next to these vignettes is another opening of the mouth scene, followed by two spells to ward off crocodiles and snakes, two spells for running fast and for leaving the tomb as a Ba bird as well as a spell for drinking water. This is also followed by three scenes with information on the Ba's of several deities, a scene with the depiction of the seven celestial cows and a bull, and two spells to fashion protective amulets. Lastly, the Book of the Dead is concluded with several vignettes depicting guarded gates that lead to the Elysian Fields, the resting place for the deceased in the underworld.
New Kingdom (1539-1077 BC)
Dynasty 18 (1539-1292 BC)
Amenophis III/Amenhotep III (Nebmaatre)
Deir el-Medina / Tomba di Kha (TT8)
Excavation: Schiaparelli, Ernesto
Excavation Date: 1906
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S. 8438
name and titles of the deceased: Overseer of the works, Kha
name and title of the wife: Mistress of the house Merit
name of the father: Iwuy
Juan José Archidona Ramírez (JJAR)
cursive hieroglyphs
Book of the Dead
spell 002, spell 003, spell 004, spell 005, spell 006, spell 007, spell 008, spell 009, spell 010, spell 011, spell 012, spell 013, spell 017, spell 018, spell 023, spell 031, spell 033, spell 063, spell 064, spell 074, spell 077, spell 082, spell 083, spell 084, spell 085, spell 086, spell 087, spell 092, spell 108, spell 109, spell 116, spell 134, spell 136, spell 141, spell 142, spell 143, spell 144, spell 146, spell 148, spell 151, spell 155, spell 156, spell 175, spell 190, spell 001
New Kingdom (1539-1077 BC)
Dynasty 18 (1539-1292 BC)
Amenophis III/Amenhotep III (Nebmaatre)
Yes
black, white, red, blue green, yellow The first vignette to the right of the scene with Osiris shows the coffin of Kha being pulled to his tomb. Before entering the tomb, the coffin is placed standing upwards and an opening of the mouth ritual is performed to restore Kha's senses. The next vignettes depict several images of birds, the god Ptah, a snake, and a lotus flower. The text beneath these vignettes are all spells that would allow Kha to transform himself into that specific entity. Next to these vignettes is another opening of the mouth scene, followed by two spells for warding of crocodiles and snakes, two spells for running fast and for leaving the tomb as a Ba bird, a spell for drinking water, 3 scenes with knowledge of the Ba's of several deities, a scene with the depiction of the 7 celestial cows and a bull, and two spells to fashion protective amulets. Lastly, the Book of the Dead is concluded with several vignettes depicting guarded gates that lead to the Elysian Fields.
