Tekkelistele

Tekkelistele, also known as the "List of the Dead," is an ancient Egyptian funerary text that dates back to the Middle Kingdom period, approximately 2000 BCE. It is one of the most well-known and widely studied of the Egyptian funerary literature. The text is inscribed on the walls of tombs and is intended to guide the deceased through the afterlife, ensuring their safe passage to the realm of the gods.

The Tekkelistele is composed of a series of spells and incantations that are believed to protect the deceased from the dangers of the underworld. These include the "Opening of the Mouth" spell, which is designed to prevent the deceased from being devoured by Ammit, the jackal-headed goddess of decay, and the "Weighing of the Heart" ceremony, which determines the fate of the deceased based on the balance of their heart against the feather of Ma'at, the goddess of truth and justice.

The text is typically accompanied by illustrations that depict the various stages of the afterlife journey, including the weighing of the heart, the opening of the mouth, and the encounter with Osiris, the god of the underworld. These illustrations serve to reinforce the protective nature of the spells and to guide the deceased through the various challenges they may face.

The Tekkelistele is considered one of the most important sources of information about ancient Egyptian beliefs and practices, and it continues to be studied and analyzed by scholars today. Its enduring popularity and relevance are a testament to the enduring power of the ancient Egyptian afterlife beliefs and the enduring appeal of the stories and themes that they contain.