Ani’s life after death – 4: in the field of reeds

Ani reaches the end of his journey through the underworld in the fourth of Andrew Fulton’s series exploring this famous Book of the Dead.

Ani has now reached the end of his journey through the underworld and has become a blessed spirit (akh). Plate 34 is one of the concluding scenes from the papyrus and shows several idyllic scenes of Osiris Ani in the afterlife.

The vignette is divided into various waterways or islands. On the left-hand side of the top register, Thoth is seen holding a pen and palette (presumably following on from the judgement scene in Plate 3 – see AE 147), showing that Ani has been successful in gaining a grant of land in the Field of Offerings (Hotep).

Plate 34 from the Book of the Dead of Ani: The Field of Reeds. 

Ani and his ka (his double) are shown worshipping three deities with animal heads (hare, snake, and bull), who are presumed to represent what appear to be two Enneads, as indicated by the caption in front of them (or this might signify there are many of them). In the centre, Ani is shown steering a boat of offerings and saying something to a hawk (Horus?) on a plinth or pedestal.

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