The Book of the Dead is an ancient Egyptian funerary text that contains a collection of spells, prayers, and incantations. It was designed to guide the deceased through the afterlife, helping them navigate challenges and achieve a successful resurrection. The text was often inscribed on papyrus scrolls and placed in tombs alongside the deceased. The book is not a single work but rather a compilation of various texts that evolved over time. It includes famous spells like the Weighing of the Heart, where the heart of the deceased is weighed against the feather of Ma'at, the goddess of truth and justice, to determine their fate in the afterlife.