In pictures: the ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead at the British Museum

A detail of the mummy mask of Satdjehuty, from Thebes and dating to the early 18th Dynasty, (1550-1295 BC). Assembled largely from the Museum's own collections, this exhibition brings to public view many objects that rarely leave the storeroom Photograph: Graeme Robertson/Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

A member of British Museum staff stands in front of an incomplete coffin, with painted inscriptions inside Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

The coffin of Horaawesheb contains the mummy of a young woman and forms the centrepiece of a recreated Egyptian burial chamber inside the exhibition Photograph: Carl Court/AFP/Getty Images

A representation of the Devourer, who waited to eat the hearts of sinners in the afterlife's Hall of Judgment. Papyrus of Ani, c. 1275 BC Photograph: British Museum/PA

The Mask of Satdjehuty is thought to have belonged to a lady of the highest rank, c. 1500 BC. Photograph: Trustees of the British Museum /British Museum

King Herihor and Queen Nodjmet adore the god Osiris Photograph: Trustees of the British Museum/British Museum

Osiris himself, represented by a wooden statuette whose paint is still vivid green, despite being three-and-a-half millennia old Photograph: Trustees of the British Museum /British Museum

Jasper heart amulet of Nakhtamun, inscribed with spells from the Book of the Dead, c. 1300 BC. Photograph: Trustees of the British Museum /British Museum

A depiction of the rising sun. Papyrus of Nodjmet, c. 1050 BC. Photograph: Trustees of the British Museum

A depiction of the Opening of the Mouth ritual, in which a mummy is symbolically brought to life. Papyrus of Hunefer, c. 1280 BC. Photograph: Trustees of the British Museum

Gilded mummy mask of a person of high rank. A spell from the Book of the Dead is inscribed on the headband, 1st century BC. Photograph: Trustees of the British Museum /British Museum

The coffin of Pasenhor, an influential member of the Libyan Meshwesh tribe, around the 22nd dynasty (725 BC), which is inscribed with various spells from the Book of the Dead Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

The ‘Book’ was not a single text but a compilation of spells, accompanied by illustrations Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

They were designed to guide the deceased through the perils of the underworld, and ultimately bring them eternal life Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian

Besenmut's coffin. The exhibition runs from 4 November until 6 March 2011 Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the Guardian