| 25 | Museum in Autumn 2010 Journey through the afterlife ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead 4 November 2010 - 6 March 2011 Follow the ancient Egyptians' journey from death to the afterlife in this major exhibition focusing on the Book of the Dead, a compilation of spells to guide the deceased through the underworld. This once- in- a- lifetime exhibition features digital media to explain Egyptian beliefs, alongside papyrus and linen examples of the Book and other funerary objects from the Museum's unparalleled collection. Journey through the afterlife ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead EDITED BY JOHN H. TAYLOR A magnificent, lavishly illustrated book exploring the ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead papyri, much of which has never been published before. See page 3 Spells for eternity The ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead JOHN H. TAYLOR A beautifully illustrated introduction to the Books of the Dead - the collections of magical spells on papyrus that the Egyptians believed would help them safely reach the afterlife. See page 5 Acknowledgements My thanks are due to friends and colleagues who have inspired, encouraged and helped my work with the reindeer. Among the many I must particularly mention Neil MacGregor, Jonathan Williams, Janet Ambers, Clare Ward, Sue La Niece and Nigel Meeks at the British Museum, Adrian Lister at the Natural History Museum, my French colleagues and savants Jean Clottes and Ann- Catherine Welté, as well as the Bradshaw Foundation and the late artist John Robinson, each of whom has contributed something particular to my thinking. I am also extremely grateful to Stephen Crummy, who prepared the map and the illustrations in Figs 10, 19, 20 and 29. © 2010 The Trustees of the British Museum Jill Cook has asserted the right to be identified as the author of this work First published in 2010 by The British Museum Press A division of The British Museum Company Ltd 38 Russell Square London WC1B 3QQ www. britishmuseum. org A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN 978- 0- 7141- 2821- 4 Designed by Esterson Associates Typeset in Miller and Akzidenz- Grotesque Printed and bound in Spain by Grafos S. A. The papers used in this book are natural, recyclable products made from wood grown in well- managed forests and other controlled sources. The manufacturing processes conform to the environmental regulations of the country of origin.

5 Prologue In 1887 the British Museum acquired a masterpiece of Ice Age art found some twenty- one years earlier at the site of Montastruc in the Midi- Pyrénées region of France. The sculpture, carved from mammoth ivory, consists of a pair of reindeer, a male following a female, and is known as the ' Swimming Reindeer' because the animals have their heads up, antlers tipped back and legs extended as if they are in water ( Fig. 1). Their bodies are well proportioned and carved in the round to show their natural features in great detail. Found with tools, weapons, other works of art and animal bones, also now in the Museum's collection, the piece dates from the end of the last Ice Age and is at least 13,000 years old. Although only 22 cm long, the reindeer form the largest and most remarkable work on ivory known from this period. The sculpture is a masterpiece in a long tradition of figurative art that began in Europe after the arrival of anatomically modern humans about 38,000 years ago and lasted until about 10,000 years ago. This book takes a close look at the object as a work of art older than anything in the Museum's collections from Babylon, Greece or Egypt, and tells the story of its discovery and its historical and artistic significance to the world. oppositeMap showing the geography of Ice Age Europe 13,000- 15,000 years ago, and the modern location of Montastruc, where the Swimming Reindeer were found. 1 overleafThe Swimming Reindeer, carved from mammoth ivory. Found at Montastruc, Tarn- et- Garonne, central-southern France. At least 13,000 years old, L. 22 cm. British Museum