Religious texts in the Pyramid Texts and the Tomb Texts

Abstract

    Ancient Egyptian civilization abounds in religious texts, considered among the most important written evidence. They embody the belief in resurrection and immortality, represented by funerary beliefs and related rituals. These religious texts emerged in the Pyramid Texts during the Old Kingdom. Mural inscriptions were found in the pyramids, expressing Egyptians' perceptions of their religious beliefs, embodied in the role of the gods in protecting the king and ensuring his eternal life. These texts flourished during the Middle Kingdom and were called the Coffin Texts or Burial Texts, encompassing various segments of Egyptian society. This is evidence of the widespread notion of immortality among them. In light of this study, we present a primary source for clarifying the rituals and rites related to death and burial. The New Kingdom witnessed the development of Egyptian literature, leading to the creation of the Book of the Dead.