The ancient Egyptian funerary text, known as the Book of the Dead, is actually a modern misnomer—the text is neither a book nor is it primarily about death.

Hear Foy Scalf, Book of the Dead specialist and head of the Research Archives, Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, University of Chicago, explain the meaning and importance of this fascinating text at our Barbara W. Herman Memorial Lecture, followed by a reception with fellow members of the Curators Circle: Lotus Society.