Uncovering an Ancient Egyptian Afterlife in 21 Feet of Scroll

A New York Times obituary writer compares his craft to the scribes of the Book of the Dead, now on display at the Brooklyn Museum.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A New York Times obituary writer reflects on the differences between modern obituaries and the ancient Egyptian 'Book of the Dead' scrolls, as exemplified by the 21-foot-long funerary scroll of a man named Ankhmerwer that is now on display at the Brooklyn Museum. Unlike modern obituaries, the Book of the Dead was a practical guidebook to the afterlife, filled with spells and incantations to help the deceased navigate the underworld.

Why it matters

The article highlights the contrasting approaches to death and the afterlife between modern Western culture and ancient Egyptian beliefs, as well as the evolving role of obituaries in preserving legacies. It also sheds light on the rediscovery and preservation of rare ancient artifacts like Ankhmerwer's scroll, which offer a window into the perspectives and rituals of the past.

The details

Ankhmerwer's 21-foot-long funerary scroll, known as a Book of the Dead, was believed to have been found in his tomb near Memphis in the 19th century. The scroll, along with other ancient Egyptian artifacts from his collection, was purchased by the New-York Historical Society and later transferred to the Brooklyn Museum, where it has undergone a three-year restoration and is now on permanent display. Unlike modern obituaries, the Book of the Dead was not a biography but rather a practical guide to the afterlife, filled with spells and incantations to help the deceased navigate the underworld and reunite with the gods.

  • The Book of the Dead scroll was believed to have been found in Ankhmerwer's tomb near Memphis in Lower Egypt early in the 19th century.
  • The collection of artifacts, including Ankhmerwer's scroll, was purchased by the New-York Historical Society and later transferred to the Brooklyn Museum.
  • The scroll has undergone a three-year restoration by the conservators Ahmed Tarek and Josephine Jenks thanks to a grant to the museum from the Bank of America.
  • The exhibition 'Unrolling Eternity: The Brooklyn Books of the Dead', featuring Ankhmerwer's scroll, went on public display last month at the Brooklyn Museum.

The players

Ankhmerwer

An ancient Egyptian man whose 21-foot-long funerary scroll, known as a Book of the Dead, is now on display at the Brooklyn Museum.

Henry Abbott

A British doctor who is believed to have found Ankhmerwer's tomb and collected the artifacts, including the funerary scroll.

Ahmed Tarek

A conservator who worked on the three-year restoration of Ankhmerwer's scroll at the Brooklyn Museum.

Josephine Jenks

A conservator who worked on the three-year restoration of Ankhmerwer's scroll at the Brooklyn Museum.

Yekaterina Barbash

The curator of Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Near Eastern Art at the Brooklyn Museum.

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What they’re saying

“I'm willing to bet they didn't expect anyone else to read it.”

— Yekaterina Barbash, Curator of Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Near Eastern Art, Brooklyn Museum

The takeaway

The rediscovery and display of Ankhmerwer's ancient funerary scroll at the Brooklyn Museum highlights the stark contrast between modern Western approaches to death and the afterlife, as exemplified by obituaries, and the elaborate rituals and beliefs of ancient Egyptian culture. This rare artifact offers a unique window into the perspectives and practices of the past, reminding us of the diverse ways in which humans have grappled with the mysteries of mortality and the hereafter.