LIB578 - Journeying Through the Ancient Egyptian Underworld
Course Description
Mummies, tombs and pyramids colour our popular perception of death in ancient Egypt (ca. 3000 BCE - 300 CE). Let’s explore the archaeology of the ancient Egyptian afterlife beyond the basics reflected in Hollywood and the History Channel. We’ll learn about ancient Egyptians’ beliefs surrounding death, rebirth and the afterlife, and study their funerary traditions and burial practices. We’ll examine the ancient Egyptian soul’s quest to avoid damnation during its long journey through the Duat (underworld). And we’ll consider the complex relationships between the living and the dead and “meet” a few real ancient Egyptians along the way.
Note: An optional “field trip” via Zoom will be scheduled on December 10 at 11:30 a.m. to virtually explore ancient Egyptian objects from the collections Harvard Art Museums with Egyptologist Dr. Jen Thum. Further details will be provided in class. This course also runs during the Royal B.C. Museum’s special exhibition “Ancient Egypt: Obsessed with Life.”
This course is offered in person.
A $50 discount is available during check-out for adults 55+.