July 27, 2025 — In a groundbreaking discovery that has stunned the global archaeological community, Egyptian archaeologists have uncovered a 3,500-year-old cemetery in central Egypt. Among the ancient relics found at the site is an exceptionally rare and remarkably well-preserved papyrus scroll — a copy of the legendary “Book of the Dead.”

The cemetery, discovered in the Al-Ghoraifa region of Middle Egypt, has yielded a wealth of artifacts, including multiple mummies, canopic jars used for preserving organs, amulets, statues, and a 43-foot-long scroll inscribed with sacred funerary texts. This scroll marks the first complete papyrus of its kind ever recovered from the Al-Ghoraifa site.

According to Dr. Mostafa Waziri, Secretary-General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, the site dates back to between 1550 BCE and 1070 BCE — a period corresponding to Egypt’s New Kingdom. While the area has previously been recognized for archaeological significance, the discovery of the Book of the Dead has brought unprecedented attention to the site.

The “Book of the Dead” is a collection of ancient Egyptian religious texts that were intended to guide the souls of the deceased through the afterlife. These texts were often buried alongside the dead to provide spiritual protection and instructions for the journey beyond. The presence of the scroll, in conjunction with other burial objects, suggests a deep understanding among ancient Egyptians of complex funerary rituals.

Experts are especially intrigued by the length and condition of the scroll. Preliminary estimates suggest it spans between 43 and 49 feet — an extraordinary size for such a manuscript. The content of the scroll remains under study, and only limited details are currently available to the public.

Speaking to Live Science, Lara Weiss, Director of the Roemer and Pelizaeus Museum in Germany, praised the find, calling it “a stunning and fascinating discovery,” particularly due to the scroll’s preservation and length. Egyptologist Foy Scalf of the University of Chicago also emphasized the rarity of such a discovery, noting the significance of finding a nearly intact copy in its original burial context.

This remarkable find not only sheds light on the spiritual life of ancient Egyptians but also opens new avenues for research into their burial customs, religious beliefs, and written traditions.