The Book of the Dead in 1000 Pieces : An Ancient Egyptian Jigsaw Puzzle by Jen Russell

Unlock the secrets of the ancient Egyptian afterlife as you assemble this 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle and make the treacherous journey through the underworld. Will you reach Aaru?

Discover the mysterious rites and rituals of death in ancient Egypt as you assemble this 1,000-piece puzzle. Witness mourners escorting the departed to their tomb, where a jackal-headed priest recites sacred spells to prepare them for the afterlife. Follow their journey through the Duat - the Egyptian underworld - into the Hall of Two Truths, where their heart is weighed to determine their fate. If worthy, they will enter Aaru, a serene paradise where they are welcomed by their ancestors.

However, the journey to Aaru is fraught with peril. The deceased must overcome many demons, including Apep, the god of chaos, who takes the form of a colossal serpent. With help from powerful gods and goddesses including Re, the sun-god, and Osiris, ruler of the underworld, they must navigate the various challenges that stand between them and eternal paradise.

Puzzlers can learn about the Book of the Dead and the gods and goddesses of ancient Egypt in the concertina fold-out. Despite its name, the Book of the Dead wasn't wasn't a single 'book', but a collection of funerary scrolls created over 2,000 years. The concertina includes an accessible introduction to the history of these scrolls and a step-by-step guide to navigating the Duat. When unfolded, it reveals a large reproduction of the jigsaw illustration with a key to its eighteen vignettes. Each vignette is paired with a real spell from the Book of the Dead - just in case you need to charm a demon or two!

About the Author

Jen Russell is a freelance writer and editor based in San Francisco. She studied Archaeology and Anthropology, with a focus on Egyptology, at Cambridge University before becoming an editor of history and archaeology books.

Good Wives and Warriors are a collaborative duo based in London. They divide their time between designing large-scale installations for fine art settings and undertaking illustration commissions from a range of clients, including the BBC and Urban Outfitters.