Book of Caverns
Encyclopedia
The Book of Caverns is an important Ancient Egypt
ian funerary text
of the New Kingdom
. Like many funerary texts, it was written on the inside of the tomb for reference by the deceased. It describes the journey of the sun god Ra
through the six caverns of the underworld, focusing on rewards and punishments in the afterlife.
The earliest known version of this work is on the left hand wall of the Osireion
in Abydos
. It appears in the tomb
of Ramesses IV
in the Valley of the Kings
, replacing the earlier Amduat
. This appearance was recorded by Jean François Champollion in his letters from Egypt.
The book has no ancient title, and is not divided into hours of the night as other Ancient Egyptian funerary texts
are.
The Book of Caverns originated in the Ramesside Period. It is a text about the underworld that speaks of those who fail their judgment in the afterlife, and also the rewards of those who pass the judgments. The Book of Caverns is one of the best sources of information about the Egyptian concept of hell.
The Book of Caverns is divided into two halves of six sections, and each half is divided into three other parts. The first half explains how the sun god Ra invokes beings and groups of gods. The other half is a descriptive text of the earlier books. The Book of Caverns is much more literary that other funerary books from the New Kingdom
, such as The Book of Gates
. It does not have as many pictures as the other books, but instead it is much more descriptive and lengthy.
The book describes the journey and tasks Ra must go through to eventually end up in the Light. Ra must take souls through the afterlife journey through many caverns guarded by gods and goddesses. Each cavern has its own task and if the soul does not pass then it is sent to nonexistence. A soul that is condemned to nonexistence is beheaded and has its hearts ripped out of its chest.
and direct the souls of the deceased. Snakes guard the first cavern's entrance. Ra must greet Osiris with his hand extended to him. Osiris is sitting on his shrine surrounded by the serpents. Osiris’ beheaded enemies are below him beheaded; this is the Egyptian concept of Hell. Osiris and Ra condemn the beheaded souls to nonexistence.
As all the souls are trapped for eternity in hell, Osiris is down there with them. However a sun disc protects him and serpents surround him. Since he is protected he is able to continue the process..
. It was discovered by archaeologists Flinders Petrie and Margaret Murray
who were excavating the site in 1902 through 1903. The Book of Caverns was found directly across from the Book of Gates
within the entrance passage on the left wall. The Book of Gates was located near the Book of Caverns because it also deals with death. Both books are based upon funerary texts of the New Kingdom, however they did not show up until the 19th Dynasty
and were not in any of the tombs within the Valley of the Kings, except for that of Ramesses IV
.
Ramesses IV was the first to use one of the earliest passages from the Book of Caverns, rather than the traditional Amduat
passages. Ramesses VI
was the first to use the entire version of the book in his tomb, in the Osireion, with the Book of Gates in the front of the tomb. The passages of the book were written all over the walls of the tomb completely covering it in text. Ramesses VII
went even further and had passages not only written on the walls but also on the ceilings and in the sarcophagus chamber.
tried to write the first complete translation of the book with the help of Adriaan de Buck. It was not completely translated into English until 1941.
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh...
ian funerary text
Funerary text
Funerary texts or funerary literature feature in many belief systems. Its purpose is usually to provide guidance to the newly deceased or the soon-to-be-deceased about how to survive and prosper in the afterlife.-Antiquity:...
of the New Kingdom
New Kingdom
The New Kingdom of Egypt, also referred to as the Egyptian Empire is the period in ancient Egyptian history between the 16th century BC and the 11th century BC, covering the Eighteenth, Nineteenth, and Twentieth Dynasties of Egypt....
. Like many funerary texts, it was written on the inside of the tomb for reference by the deceased. It describes the journey of the sun god Ra
Ra
Ra is the ancient Egyptian sun god. By the Fifth Dynasty he had become a major deity in ancient Egyptian religion, identified primarily with the mid-day sun...
through the six caverns of the underworld, focusing on rewards and punishments in the afterlife.
The earliest known version of this work is on the left hand wall of the Osireion
Osireion
The Osirion or Osireon is located at Abydos at the rear of the temple of Seti I. It is an integral part of Seti I's funeral complex and is built to resemble an 18th Dynasty Valley of the Kings tomb. It was discovered by archaeologists Flinders Petrie and Margaret Murray who were excavating the...
in Abydos
Abydos, Egypt
Abydos is one of the most ancient cities of Upper Egypt, and also of the eight Upper Nome, of which it was the capital city. It is located about 11 kilometres west of the Nile at latitude 26° 10' N, near the modern Egyptian towns of el-'Araba el Madfuna and al-Balyana...
. It appears in the tomb
KV2
Tomb KV2, found in the Valley of the Kings, is the tomb of Ramesses IV, and is located low down in the main valley, between KV7 and KV1. It has been open since antiquity and contains a large amount of graffiti.-Contemporary plans of the tomb:...
of Ramesses IV
Ramesses IV
Heqamaatre Ramesses IV was the third pharaoh of the Twentieth Dynasty of the New Kingdom of Ancient Egypt. His name prior to assuming the crown was Amonhirkhopshef...
in the Valley of the Kings
Valley of the Kings
The Valley of the Kings , less often called the Valley of the Gates of the Kings , is a valley in Egypt where, for a period of nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC, tombs were constructed for the Pharaohs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom .The valley stands on the west bank of...
, replacing the earlier Amduat
Amduat
The Amduat is an important Ancient Egyptian funerary text of the New Kingdom. Like many funerary texts, it was found written on the inside of the pharaoh's tomb for reference...
. This appearance was recorded by Jean François Champollion in his letters from Egypt.
The book has no ancient title, and is not divided into hours of the night as other Ancient Egyptian funerary texts
Ancient Egyptian Funerary Texts
The literature that make up the Ancient Egyptian Funerary Texts are a collection of religious documents that were used in Ancient Egypt, usually to help the spirit of the concerned person to be preserved in the afterlife....
are.
The Book of Caverns originated in the Ramesside Period. It is a text about the underworld that speaks of those who fail their judgment in the afterlife, and also the rewards of those who pass the judgments. The Book of Caverns is one of the best sources of information about the Egyptian concept of hell.
The Book of Caverns is divided into two halves of six sections, and each half is divided into three other parts. The first half explains how the sun god Ra invokes beings and groups of gods. The other half is a descriptive text of the earlier books. The Book of Caverns is much more literary that other funerary books from the New Kingdom
New Kingdom
The New Kingdom of Egypt, also referred to as the Egyptian Empire is the period in ancient Egyptian history between the 16th century BC and the 11th century BC, covering the Eighteenth, Nineteenth, and Twentieth Dynasties of Egypt....
, such as The Book of Gates
Book of Gates
The Book of Gates is an Ancient Egyptian funerary text dating from the New Kingdom. It narrates the passage of a newly deceased soul into the next world, corresponding to the journey of the sun though the underworld during the hours of the night. The soul is required to pass though a series of...
. It does not have as many pictures as the other books, but instead it is much more descriptive and lengthy.
The book describes the journey and tasks Ra must go through to eventually end up in the Light. Ra must take souls through the afterlife journey through many caverns guarded by gods and goddesses. Each cavern has its own task and if the soul does not pass then it is sent to nonexistence. A soul that is condemned to nonexistence is beheaded and has its hearts ripped out of its chest.
Section 1
Section 1 of the book describes Ra and his mission to enter the darkness in order to defend and care for OsirisOsiris
Osiris is an Egyptian god, usually identified as the god of the afterlife, the underworld and the dead. He is classically depicted as a green-skinned man with a pharaoh's beard, partially mummy-wrapped at the legs, wearing a distinctive crown with two large ostrich feathers at either side, and...
and direct the souls of the deceased. Snakes guard the first cavern's entrance. Ra must greet Osiris with his hand extended to him. Osiris is sitting on his shrine surrounded by the serpents. Osiris’ beheaded enemies are below him beheaded; this is the Egyptian concept of Hell. Osiris and Ra condemn the beheaded souls to nonexistence.
Section 2
In Section 2 Ra must reach various gods and goddesses who are guarded by various serpents. Once he reaches Osiris, souls are once again sent to nonexistence. Nonexistence is known as the Place of Annihilation where the souls are punished by guards with knives.Sections 3 through 6
Sections 3 through 6 are about the damned and their punishment. The damned are shown on ovals in the walls of caverns, which is why the text is called The Book of Caverns. In the caverns the gods make sure each and every soul continues to serve its punishment. The Book of Caverns is the only known Egyptian funerary text to mention women being condemned to nonexistence.As all the souls are trapped for eternity in hell, Osiris is down there with them. However a sun disc protects him and serpents surround him. Since he is protected he is able to continue the process..
History
The first known almost complete version of The Book of Caverns that only has its upper register damaged was located in the OsireionOsireion
The Osirion or Osireon is located at Abydos at the rear of the temple of Seti I. It is an integral part of Seti I's funeral complex and is built to resemble an 18th Dynasty Valley of the Kings tomb. It was discovered by archaeologists Flinders Petrie and Margaret Murray who were excavating the...
. It was discovered by archaeologists Flinders Petrie and Margaret Murray
Margaret Murray
Margaret Alice Murray was a prominent British Egyptologist and anthropologist. Primarily known for her work in Egyptology, which was "the core of her academic career," she is also known for her propagation of the Witch-cult hypothesis, the theory that the witch trials in the Early Modern period of...
who were excavating the site in 1902 through 1903. The Book of Caverns was found directly across from the Book of Gates
Book of Gates
The Book of Gates is an Ancient Egyptian funerary text dating from the New Kingdom. It narrates the passage of a newly deceased soul into the next world, corresponding to the journey of the sun though the underworld during the hours of the night. The soul is required to pass though a series of...
within the entrance passage on the left wall. The Book of Gates was located near the Book of Caverns because it also deals with death. Both books are based upon funerary texts of the New Kingdom, however they did not show up until the 19th Dynasty
Nineteenth dynasty of Egypt
The Nineteenth Dynasty of ancient Egypt was one of the periods of the Egyptian New Kingdom. Founded by Vizier Ramesses I, whom Pharaoh Horemheb chose as his successor to the throne, this dynasty is best known for its military conquests in Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria.The warrior kings of the...
and were not in any of the tombs within the Valley of the Kings, except for that of Ramesses IV
Ramesses IV
Heqamaatre Ramesses IV was the third pharaoh of the Twentieth Dynasty of the New Kingdom of Ancient Egypt. His name prior to assuming the crown was Amonhirkhopshef...
.
Ramesses IV was the first to use one of the earliest passages from the Book of Caverns, rather than the traditional Amduat
Amduat
The Amduat is an important Ancient Egyptian funerary text of the New Kingdom. Like many funerary texts, it was found written on the inside of the pharaoh's tomb for reference...
passages. Ramesses VI
Ramesses VI
Ramesses VI was the fifth ruler of the Twentieth dynasty of Egypt who reigned from 1145 BC to 1137 BC and a son of Ramesses III by Iset Ta-Hemdjert...
was the first to use the entire version of the book in his tomb, in the Osireion, with the Book of Gates in the front of the tomb. The passages of the book were written all over the walls of the tomb completely covering it in text. Ramesses VII
Ramesses VII
Usermaatre Meryamun Setepenre Ramesses VII was the sixth pharaoh of the 20th dynasty of Ancient Egypt. He reigned from about 1136 to 1129 BC and was the son of Ramesses VI. Other dates for his reign are 1138-1131 BC...
went even further and had passages not only written on the walls but also on the ceilings and in the sarcophagus chamber.
Translation
Jean François Champollion first wrote about the Book of Caverns from the tomb of Ramesses VI providing some translations. Scholars, however, were not greatly interested in the book until about a century later when the second complete version of the text was discovered in the Osireion. In 1933 Henri FrankfortHenri Frankfort
Henri 'Hans' Frankfort was a Dutch Egyptologist, archaeologist and orientalist.-Biography:Born in Amsterdam, Frankfort studied history at the University of Amsterdam and then moved to London, where in 1924, he took an MA under Sir Flinders Petrie at the University College. In 1927 he gained a...
tried to write the first complete translation of the book with the help of Adriaan de Buck. It was not completely translated into English until 1941.