To the ancient Egyptians, ensuring a safe passage to the afterlife was a major concern. Fortunately, the Coffin Texts, dating back to 2134-2040 BCE, offered vital guidance. This collection of 1,185 spells and incantations was believed to protect the deceased from various dangers and avert the feared "second death."

Among these texts is the Book of Two Ways, the first known cosmography which offered maps for navigating the afterlife. As the name suggests, these texts were typically found on coffins, but they also appeared on stelae, canopic chests, papyrus, and mummy masks.

The Coffin Texts weren't just for high society, but accessible to ordinary Egyptians who could afford a coffin. They introduced the idea that everyone would be judged by Osiris and his council based on their actions in life.