Home / Arts and Entertainment / Rare Gilded Egyptian Scroll Unveiled in Brooklyn
Rare Gilded Egyptian Scroll Unveiled in Brooklyn
19 Feb
Summary
- A complete, gilded Book of the Dead, 2,000 years old, is now on display.
- Only about 10 gilded Egyptian papyri are known to exist worldwide.
- The scroll underwent a three-year conservation effort to stabilize it.
A complete, gilded 2,000-year-old Book of the Dead, an ancient Egyptian text designed to guide the deceased to the afterlife, is currently on exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum. This exceptional artifact is one of only approximately 10 gilded Egyptian papyri that are known to exist globally, making its display a significant event for Egyptology enthusiasts.
The scroll, dating from 340 BC to 57 BC, possesses unique qualities, including its complete nature as indicated by blank sheets at its beginning and end. Its gilded elements, often depicting important symbols, reflect ancient Egyptian beliefs associating gold with divinity and eternal life. The practice of creating such scrolls was reserved for the wealthy, with scribes personalizing each copy.
This specific copy has a fascinating history, arriving in America in the 19th century and eventually finding its way to the Brooklyn Museum. A dedicated team of conservators undertook a demanding three-year project in the 2000s to carefully separate the fragile papyrus from its backing and stabilize it for long-term preservation. The intricate details and fragile nature of the scroll have left visitors in awe.
