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What religious texts were painted on the walls of Valley of the Kings tombs?
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Thebes
Temple of Hatshepsut at Dayr al-Baįø„rÄ«, Thebes, Egypt.
The walls of the tombs in the Valley of the Kings were frequently adorned with illustrated magical texts designed to assist the deceased pharaoh on their journey through the nether regions. These compositions, which represent varying perspectives on the afterlife, include:1
- Book of That Which Is in the Underworld (Amduat): Depicts the sun god traveling through 12 divisions representing the 12 hours of the night.12
- Book of Gates: Describes the sunās passage through portals guarded by giant serpents, featuring demons that either assist or hinder the journey.12
- Book of Day and Book of Night: Depict the sky-goddess Nut spread across the heavens.1
- Book of the Heavenly Cow: Details the transformation of Nut into a cow, upon which the sun god Re ascends to the firmament.1
These texts are similar to those found in funerary papyri and were intended to help the king overcome trials and perils in the afterlife. While the Book of the Dead is also a significant collection of mortuary spells, it is distinct from the specific royal compositions inscribed on the walls of these New Kingdom tombs.132