A Ukrainian scholar decoded a message from the "Book of the Dead" in Egypt. Discover what insights she uncovered (photo included).

27-year-old Ukrainian scholar Natalia Bondarenko has joined a Polish-Egyptian archaeological mission after accepting an invitation from the University of Warsaw. The researcher focused on studying fragments of sarcophagi discovered at the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut in Deir el-Bahari (Egypt).

In TikTok, you spoke about the "Book of the Dead." What is it? Are there really curses or warnings in those texts?

— I’m sure many have heard of the Egyptian "Book of the Dead." It’s important to understand that it is not a book in the conventional sense, but rather a collection of religious texts or "spells." These texts were meant for the deceased to successfully navigate all the trials awaiting them in the afterlife, known as Duat, and to reach Iaru, or paradise. The texts were inscribed on papyrus, as well as on the walls of sarcophagi and tombs. You won’t find any curses there, as these writings were intended to protect the soul of the deceased. The best-preserved example today is the "Papyrus of Ani" (circa 1250 B.C.). My favorite part is about the weighing of the heart in the Hall of Ma'at, which contains the words: "I have not committed any evil, I have not brought sorrow, I have not harmed cattle… (around 40 possible sins are listed — Ed.). I am pure (this is repeated four times)." This is Spell 125, where the deceased testifies to their innocence.

The Mysteries of the Afterlife

Why did the ancient Egyptians have such a strong belief in the afterlife and dedicate so much attention to it?

— Indeed, the life of the ancient Egyptians revolved around various rituals, beliefs in Duat, eternal life, and the rebirth of the soul. Everyone aspired to resemble a god or a pharaoh, as they had the right to eternal life. Numerous prescriptions had to be followed both in life and after death.

What was the purpose of mummification?

— Mummification was one of the burial practices of the ancient Egyptians. This ritual emerged only in the Old Kingdom (around 2700 B.C.). It was done to preserve the body, allowing life to continue in Duat. According to their beliefs, this was the only way the soul could return to the deceased's body and be reborn. The first mummified figure is considered to be the god Osiris, who was killed by his brother Set. Osiris's wife, Isis, was able to mummify her husband with the help of Anubis, after which he was reborn.

The Curse of the Pharaohs

Are researchers of tombs accompanied by curses? There are many myths about the tomb of Tutankhamun, discovered by Howard Carter.

— The myth of the "curse of the pharaohs" became very popular after Carter discovered Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922. According to various sources, 13 people involved in the tomb's opening died within a few years afterward. A possible cause of the deaths of the expedition members is believed to be a fungus.

Why are there so many yellow, blue, and red tones in the decoration of the tomb? Do these colors have specific symbolism?

— Yes, the colorful paintings in tombs and temples were not only for realistic depictions of scenes from life but also held specific symbolism. This is especially evident in religious scenes: a particular Egyptian god had to be depicted according to a strict canon. For example, Osiris is always shown with green skin and wearing the white crown of Upper Egypt. Additionally, men are always portrayed with a more brownish-reddish skin tone than women. Gods were also painted with a golden hue, which is why tombs are often adorned in yellow tones, symbolizing a connection to divinity and eternal life.

Why did the ancient Egyptians frequently depict scarab beetles and worship cats?

— The image of the scarab symbolizes the god Khepri, who was responsible for the cyclical movement of the sun. Such amulets were worn for protection. For instance, during burial rituals, a scarab was placed over the heart so that the deceased could not lie during the weighing of the heart in the Hall of Ma'at. As for cats, their depiction symbolized deities like Sekhmet, Bastet, or Mafdet. Cats hunted rodents and snakes and were believed to protect the pharaoh from danger. Numerous mummies of these animals have been found in royal tombs.

The Path to Cleopatra's Tomb

In one of your videos, you talked about Kathleen Martinez, who may have found the path to Cleopatra's tomb. What do scholars hope to find in this burial site?

— Kathleen Martinez is a scholar from the Dominican Republic who has been searching for Cleopatra's tomb since 2005. Excavations are primarily taking place in Alexandria, specifically at the Temple of Taposiris Magna. So far, 27 tombs and 10 mummies have been discovered, two of which are gilded, suggesting a royal burial nearby. The temple area also features numerous tunnels. Researchers believe that one of these may lead to the tomb of Cleopatra and Mark Antony. We will keep an eye on this.

You mentioned a new scientific sensation — the discovery of the tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II. What is known about this?

— The tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II was discovered on the west bank of Luxor. A British-Egyptian team undertook substantial work. The remnants of a blue ceiling with yellow stars indicate that the tomb belonged to the elite. The director of the archaeological mission, Professor Litherland from Cambridge University, found an empty chamber, as the mummy of Thutmose II was discovered two centuries ago. Due to flooding, the Egyptians moved the pharaoh to another location. Additionally, fragments of alabaster vases containing references to the names of Thutmose II and Queen Hatshepsut were found, confirming that the tomb indeed belonged to Thutmose II, bringing scholars closer to new discoveries.

Who Built the Egyptian Pyramids

— The ancient Egyptians, to put it briefly. No aliens or giants were involved. Indeed, the Egyptian pyramids impress with their size, particularly the height of the tallest one at around 146 meters. However, we already know the technology used to construct them. Farmers were recruited for this task (there are even accounts of a separate settlement for workers), who worked under the supervision of the best architects. Archaeological records confirm this, detailing the wages and daily food rations received by the workers. Two-ton blocks were lifted using sand ramps and transported on sturdy boats.

As an Egyptologist, are you interested in the film "The Mummy" from 1999?

— I refer to this film as my ticket to Egyptology. When I saw it as a child, I knew I could not choose another path. The level of preparation and production, the props, and the sound closely resembling ancient Egyptian speech are impressive. This film inspires exploration of Ancient Egypt, which is the most important thing.