The ancient Egyptians held a steadfast belief in an afterlife that transcended the confines of disappointment, loss, and distress. Contrary to the notion of "you can't take it with you," the prevailing perspective for much of Egyptian history was encapsulated by the sentiment "you keep it forever." The enduring concept envisioned a paradise, The Field of Reeds, on the other side of death—a continuation of earthly life, yet free from the shackles of sorrow. This profound view, while subject to fluctuations across different eras, remained remarkably constant. The paradise beyond was a sanctuary where all that was lost in the mortal realm could be rediscovered.

Coinciding with this vision of the afterlife was an unwavering understanding of disembodied spirits—ghosts. Unlike the evolving perceptions of the afterlife, the belief in ghosts persisted unchanged from the earliest evidence throughout ancient Egyptian history. Ghosts were considered as tangible and authentic as any other facet of existence, a testament to the enduring and deeply rooted spiritual convictions of the ancient Egyptians.

My Special Guest Is Michelle Keeley-Adamson

Michelle is a Historian & Writer from Liverpool UK. She has a background in Egyptology and her talks and writing focus on the reception of ancient Egypt during the Victorian era (commonly referred to as ‘egyptomania’). Her main research areas cover Egyptian revival graves in Victorian England and the life of Egyptologist and Architect, Joseph Bonomi Jr.

Harmony Beyond the Veil: Ma'at and the Imperative of Proper Burial

Central to Egyptian culture was the sacred principle of ma'at, an intricate dance of harmony and balance woven into the fabric of everyday life. Among the myriad expressions of ma'at, the proper burial of the deceased held particular significance. Egyptians perceived life as a unidirectional journey, commencing at birth and culminating in the afterlife. To ensure the soul's tranquil transition, meticulous provisions were made through tomb paintings, inscriptions, and statuary. These artefacts served as a spiritual tether, inviting the soul to benignly revisit the earthly realm while urging the spirit to hasten its departure to the afterlife.

However, the appearance of a ghost, especially its interaction with the living, signalled a disruption in the natural order. This disturbance typically stemmed from a spirit's discontent with its body's burial, the condition of the tomb, or a perceived lack of respectful remembrance. Ghostly visitations were viewed as a tangible manifestation of imbalance, compelling the living to rectify the disturbances and restore ma'at, ensuring both the departed and the living coexisted in harmonious accord.

In this episode, you will be able to:

1. Examine how we know about ancient Egyptian ghost stories.

2. Look at the idea of what a ghost was in Ancient Egypt.

3. Take a closer look at examples of hauntings and what ancient Egyptians did when haunted.

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