7. Entering the Underworld
The tomb of Ra-aa-Kheperu Amenhotep-neter-heq-an, the second successor of Thothmes III (B.C.1448-1420) Amenhotep II.
The top part of the picture depicts the funeral chamber, where the plan of representing the mummy of the king in his sarcophagus is shown, as it is slipped down to the tomb. The three small snakes are opening the way into the dark places of the underworld. The big cobra "Apap" with the statue of the god is guarding the doors. The sarcophagus, passing the dangerous places, arrives safely. The mummy of the king is represented with the crown on his head (on the right), and is coming out of his sarcophagus. Before him is the sign of domination. The procession of the Sacred Boat of the Sun-God is seen travelling in the sky, and the cobra in the boat is there to open the way into the dark places. The Ancient Egyptian always turned to the cobra for protecting the dead in the dim places of the underworld. The last part in the picture is the fifth chapter from the Book of the Dead.