Through the Eras

TheaterDOCUMENTARYSOURCESin TheaterAnonymous, Book of the Dead Chapter 39 (c. 1539–1075B.C.E.)—The rituals found in the Book of the Deadwere used as part of the funeral ritual to help the deceasedenter the land of the dead. The EgyptologistEmile Drioton interpreted it as part of a ritual drama.Anonymous, Coffin Text 148 (c. 2130–1630 B.C.E.)—Thisritual text was intended to help the deceased enter theland of the dead. The Egyptologist Emile Drioton interpretedit as part of a ritual drama.Anonymous, Dramatic Ramesseum Papyrus (c. 1842 B.C.E.)—This text contains both a funeral ceremony for the deceasedking Amenemhet I and the coronation ceremonyfor his son Senwosret I. The first editor of the text,Kurt Sethe, understood it as a drama.Anonymous, Shabaka Stone (c. 2500–2170 or 716–702B.C.E.)—The text dates either to the Old Kingdom orto the reign of Shabaka, when the only preserved copywas carved on basalt. Kurt Sethe thought it was an OldKingdom drama.Emhab, Biography of Emhab (c. 1543–1539 B.C.E.)—Thisbiography of a soldier who served in the reign of KingKamose was interpreted to be the biography of an actorby the Egyptologist Emile Drioton.262 Arts and Humanities Through the Eras: Ancient Egypt (2675 B.C.E.–332 B.C.E.)