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Pyramid Texts

The Pyramid Texts are a collection of heiroglyphic inscriptions written in tombs and (obviously) in pyramids to protect the dead person on the journey into the afterlife.

There are five types of "Pyramid Texts" :

• dramatic texts -- spells of lament, offering rituals, opening of the mouth, recited speeches. Mostly from the 2nd and 3rd dynasty
• hymns with name formulas -- set cult actions and ritual objects of the dramatic texts transformed into mythical stories
• litanies -- structured as verse, enumerations and sequences of names and name formulas. Mostly 4th dynasty
• glorifications -- the "sabu", literally that which makes on into an akh. THe largest part of the pyramid texts. Usualy 5th and 6th dynasty
• magical texts -- short protection spells for charming animals. Very archaic, oldest of the texts

Pyramid texts are written from the "inside" of the tomb to the outside and can be found in a number of earlier pyramids. Most curiously, however, they are not written in the pyramids at Giza.