Rita Lucarelli Presents "Book of the Dead in 3D"

Rita Lucarelli, Associate Professor of Egyptology and BCNM faculty member, will present “Book of the Dead in 3D” on May 7, 2026 from 4–5:00 PM. The talk explores a collection of 3D scans of ancient Egyptian coffins, each inscribed with spells intended to resurrect the মৃত and guide them safely through the afterlife.

This immersive experience takes place within a virtual reconstruction of the Loker Reading Room in Widener Library and will be accessible both online and in person at Lamont Library. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with the coffins in a digital environment that brings together archaeological research and interactive media. A limited number of VR headsets will also be available for those interested in experiencing the project in virtual reality.

Rita will guide attendees through the historical and cultural significance of the Book of the Dead, highlighting how these funerary texts functioned as tools for navigating the afterlife. By working with 3D models, the project offers new ways to examine inscriptions, material details, and spatial relationships that are often difficult to access through traditional methods.

The event is organized in collaboration with Matt Cook and Emily Coolidge Toker, whose work supports the integration of emerging technologies into research and teaching.

Registration can be found online, and more information about the project is available at 3dcoffins.berkeley.edu.