Religious belief was central to life in ancient Egypt and played a fundamental role in the development of their great society. In the first half of this book, the state religion is considered, with an examination of the preparation for the afterlife, including the procedures and ceremonies that followed death. The section includes an examination of the afterlife, the Book of the Dead and ceremonies such as mummification and the Weighing of the Heart. The second half of the book examines the effects of popular religion on daily activities. It describes temple rites and offerings, the power of the high priests, and the role of women in religion. The religion of this fascinating society has been documented with maps and a wealth of over 200 beautiful photographs, reproductions and colour artworks, making this book an essential reference for anyone interested in this ancient civilization.