Various characteristics of ancient Egyptian culture have intrigued historians and archaeologists, especially the values and practices concerning death. An exploration of religion, law and art could suggest that the ancient Egyptians were preoccupied with death. Further exploration reveals that this is not really the case and that the ancient Egyptians were essentially preoccupied with the afterlife and religion.There is a great deal of evidence which exists which agrees with the suggestion that the ancient Egyptians were preoccupied death. The ancient Egyptians believed that paintings, carvings ...view middle of the document...
The ancient Egyptians believed that a dead persons heart was weighed against a feather if they were guilty they failed this test as their heart was weighed down by their bad deeds. The fact that the death penalty was enforced on tomb robbers for stealing ones buried goods or damaging a mummy's tomb meant that person's spirit may not survive in the afterlife supports the idea that the ancient Egyptians might have been preoccupied with the afterlife.The ancient Egyptians were not preoccupied with death in religion. The ancient Egyptians had local gods, one for each city and most people prayed to these gods to make their city happy and wealthy. The ancient Egyptians also believed that the gods controlled their everyday lives. The ancient Egyptians had gods for every special event and occasion and that definitely establishes the fact that the ancient Egyptians were not preoccupied with death, but religion in general.The question of whether or not the ancient Egyptians were preoccupied with death has fascinated historians and archaeologists. An investigation of religion, law and art may perhaps suggest that the ancient Egyptians were preoccupied with death. An additional exploration exposes that the ancient Egyptians were not only fundamentally preoccupied with death but religion and the afterlife as well.