The "Book of the Dead" is an ancient Egyptian funerary text that was written to guide the dead through the underworld and into the afterlife. It was believed to be a powerful tool that could protect the soul from danger and ensure a peaceful journey to the next world. The book was written on papyrus scrolls and contained a series of spells and incantations that were meant to appease the gods and gain entrance into the afterlife. The book was considered to be a sacred text and was only accessible to the wealthy and powerful members of society.