THE ANCIENT EGYPTIAN AND
NEAR EASTERN SOCIETY
CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO A PUBLIC LECTURE
The ancient Egyptian weighing of the soul
and its meaning for modern civilization
BY PROF CASPER SCHUTTE
ABSTRACT
The development of the (commercial) double-pan balance in Ancient Egypt from about 2600
BC to 1500 BC is described, using numerous illustrations from papyri and rock-engravings.
It is shown that the terminology regarding the balance and the act of weighing found their
way into common Ancient Egyptian language, eventually culminating in the curious concept
of the symbolic weighing of responsibility and “truth” by weighing the heart of the deceased
in the mortuary papyri, collectively called the “Book of Death”. The post-mortem ceremony
of the weighing of the heart is found illustrated in many such papyri and one of these
illustrations is fully discussed and analyzed, pointing out how this scene still influences our
modern world.
DATE:
TIME:
VENUE:
ENTRY FEE:
10 MARCH 2004
18:30 FOR 19:00
UNISA, FILM AUDITORIUM
R15/FREE FOR MEMBERS
Books will be available before and after the lecture for browsing and for sale. You are invited
to have tea or coffee with us after the event.
For further information and for membership, contact:
Fanie Vermaak
(012) 429 6882/6812
vermaps@unisa.ac.za
or
Andriëtte Ferreira
(012) 429 6095
usem2@unisa.ac.za