The exhibits in this exceptional presentation could not possibly cover the whole spectrum of human beliefs regarding the afterlife, but it is the similarity in thought from culture to culture that tends to remain in mind long after the visitor has left the museum.

The funerary beliefs and practices of the ancient Egyptians have roots in early ancestor cults having, as their basic principle, the concept that the dead, like the living, have needs that must be met. Failure to do this properly is a breakdown in order and often results in the haunting of the living by the dead. Thus, even in very early societies we see offerings of food, drink, and simple jewellery accompanying the deceased relative. Early Egyptian beliefs have parallels, therefore, in many other cultures. The dead are not removed from the community. Their life continues, unseen, but necessary to the survival of the group in which they lived. This can be interpreted as a straightforward belief – individuals believed they would continue after death – or in psychological terms relating to the fabric of society and its continuance and security.

As humanity began its long march towards modern societies, grave goods became more and more complex and beautiful, providing clear indications of status to the investigating archaeologist. One of the most fascinating aspects of the study of ancient Egypt is that it is possible to trace these developments from simple, early "egalitarian" interments into the fully-fledged royal burials such as that of Tutankhamun that are now so well known, with all their paraphernalia. This suggests that access to the afterlife had become an increasingly complex affair.

The Egyptology related items in this wide-ranging exhibition are few but exceedingly well-chosen. Most serious students of Egyptology, and even relative newcomers to the subject will be familiar with items such as the models of boats and servants that were found in the tombs of the wealthy. These are to be found in the exhibition, the former symbolising, as Bill Manley writes in the associated text, the "’journey to the west’ mirroring the passage of the sun from rising to setting", the latter representing the ability to produce food for the dead in perpetuity.

In addition, there are two statuettes of the god Anubis, of late date, which were placed as guardians near to the deceased. Quantities of amulets accompanied every mummy, each of which had a special place in the wrappings in order to create "a spiritual ‘map’ in which the relationships between fundamental values and beliefs were revealed." (Bill Manley.)

Magical and religious papyri, too, were placed in the burial to assist the passage into the next world, and one example is present.

The Qurneh burial dates from a time in Egypt’s history when the country was divided and will surprise those who are familiar with the readily identifiable artefacts from Egypt’s glory days of the Old and New Kingdoms, in particular. It is however a wealthy burial for its period, suggesting an individual of high status.

These Egyptian exhibits are only part of the aspects of the afterlife represented in "Heaven and Hell". One visitor, on entering, was heard to remark, "Naebody kens the truth o’ it". The visitors’ comments at the end also reflect a wide range of thoughts and ideas on the existence of the afterlife – or not – including some which come quite close to Egyptian beliefs. "We do a test," wrote one child, "then we have a spell over us so we can lie about our answers. Then we go to heaven or hell". Another was more prosaic: "Maggits eat you." "Some people go to heaven – me as an angel. Some people go to hell – my wee sis," wrote another.

More than one culture sees the journey through life to death in terms of the passage of the sun from east to west, a journey into the west. This was true for the ancient Egyptians. And, so far as we know…none has returned from it, although the exhibition does include a section on spiritualism.