Secrets of Magical Texts and Scenes

By Ali Abu Dashish and Salma Yassin

CAIRO, Jan. 16 (SEE)- “Death will ruin whoever disrupts Pharaoh or misuses his tomb”, these words are written in the entrance of one of Pharaohs’ tombs.

Dr. Zahi Hawass, the Egyptian archaeologist, said that one of the most popular magical texts inside tombs is, what is called “calling the living”, which is mainly directed to whoever visits these tombs; homes of eternal life.

The texts are about reviewing lives of the dead and almost end up with requesting visitors to copy scenes, leave a message, and finally provide some offerings and supplies; in order to secure lives of the dead in the afterworld.

In the graveyard of the late era great employee “Ebi”, the call describes details of tomb’s scenes, then guides visitors to watch shapes of people, animals and plants, besides hearing labor’s argument, music playing and mourners’ crying drawn on walls.

In the same context, inside the tomb of minister “E Amun Ga”, it’s clear that he requested visitors to see what he was offering to Pharaoh. His history is accurately displayed in carved drawings; showing him while leading a diplomatic delegation in the presence of Pharaoh Thutmose III, and texts stating, “Whoever will visit my tomb to witness what I was doing one day to the Pharaoh, I wish he may admire Amun, hate death, think about life and respect his current Pharaoh".

Another conclusion from texts and drawings on tombs’ walls is, the social status of the dead, as they were keen on representing themselves as nobles holding distinctive badges, and performing some worshipping positions.

Also the neat clothes’ folds indicate how elegant was the dead in their lives.

On the other hand, commemorating the dead is also another significant purpose from tomb’s scenes, as The Archeologist Yan Asman, said that tombs’ memorial letters implies hieroglyphic and magical texts, to guarantee the continuance of their king’s identities through visitors.