View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-egyptian-book-of-the-dead-tejal-gala

Ancient Egyptians believed that in order to become immortal after death, a spirit must first pass through the underworld — a realm of vast caverns, lakes of fire, and magical gates. Needless to say, one needed to come prepared. But how? Tejal Gala describes an Egyptian "Book of the Dead" -- a customized magic scroll written by the living to promote a smooth passage to the afterlife when they died.

Lesson by Tejal Gala, animation by Silvia Prietov.