Did the Egyptians believe in an afterlife?

The King Tut Exhibition had its first stop in Los Angeles—and how could we possibly miss something like this?

And of course one of the first things the exhibit taught was how the ancient Egyptians believed in an afterlife and that all the stuff they put in the tomb was designed to help young Tut navigate that afterlife more successfully: boats to take him across the equivalent of the Styx, assistants, tools such as knives, you name it.

But what justification do we actually have in support of the concept that the Eqyptians believed in the afterlife? After all, there are many alternative explanations as to why they might have buried a king together with objects in this particular fashion. And parts of the theory are questionable. For instance, if the Egyptians had truly believed that their Pharaoh would be resurrected and enjoy an afterlife, why did they include models of objects instead of the real thing?

When my family’s beloved Shiba-ken “Wanda” was hit by a car and died, we placed her toys in with her in the box sent through the cremation line. We did not do so because we believed she would be playing with them in an afterlife. (Were there indeed an afterlife for dogs, such a miraculous phenomenon would certainly include all the toys Wanda could have wanted, ones much better than any we provided during her mortal existence.)

Just as we were doing with Wanda, my strong sense is that the Egyptians were honoring King Tut’s memory and revisiting and modeling his life through the decorations in the tomb.

9 Responses to “Did the Egyptians believe in an afterlife?”

  1. mister Says:

    we all need to grow up and stop being chidshes just grow up and leave people alone God bless and god bless america

  2. loco Says:

    this is extremely unapropreate! I see some bad words happening here… so calm down everybody!!!

  3. whatt? Says:

    God dont bless america no offence! ahah jk

  4. your mom Says:

    i dont get it. FOGO!!

  5. wouldnt u like to no? Says:

    this doesnt tell me anything about the after life!!!

  6. Ms.Marly Says:

    This believens of the after life from the Egyptians is very knowlageable. I’m taking my class to see the King Tut exibiht, and they are very excited. I’ll bet me and my class are ready to learn. We will be waiting to hear some exciting, and knowlagealbe facts!

  7. nadia Says:

    whyn did the egyptians believe in gods

  8. liam Says:

    i love egyptians

  9. Meg Says:

    This does Nothing,
    Dont talk like where with you,
    Speak like your a fucken Teacher?
    OK?
    god,
    Egyptians are hard to understand but still
    this makes it harder i need it for homework!
    NOONE KNOWS SHIT ABOUT THIS FUCKING SHIT
    i have looked on 23 websites now,
    NOT FAIR,

    bye,
    FIX THIS SHIT.

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