Answer: The linking element between ancient Egyptian and Mayan concepts of death and the afterlife is the belief that the soul or spirit continues to exist after death and requires certain provisions and rituals to navigate the afterlife.
Step-by-step explanation: Both ancient Egyptian and Mayan cultures believed in the existence of an afterlife and developed elaborate rituals and practices to ensure that the deceased could continue their existence in the next world. In both cultures, the soul or spirit was believed to continue to exist after death and required provisions such as food, water, and offerings from the living to sustain itself. Additionally, rituals and ceremonies were performed to help the soul navigate the afterlife and reach a favorable destination. These similarities suggest a common human desire to understand and prepare for the mystery of death and the afterlife