Recordings will be made available for those unable to attend the live sessions!
This informal short course explores typical ancient Egyptian artefacts seen in museums around the world. Each session introduces an object type, its materials and how it was made, then examines the texts and symbols engraved on it. Attendees will discover that artefacts can carry multiple meanings and layers of symbolism, and that inscriptions often reveal how an item was used or who owned it.
The course leaves ample room for discussion, so please bring your curiosity along!
Hieroglyph hunting: We will draw on artefacts on display in the Grand Egyptian Museum, particularly from the tomb of Tutankhamun, but you will see that the texts there can also be found in your local museum. This is not a language class and will not include discussion of grammar. Attendees are encouraged to join one of our Egyptian language classes to explore this subject further.
This course is perfect for beginners and digital resources will bring the artefacts to life. The textual discussions will focus on vocabulary and spotting hieroglyphs, rather than any grammatical constructions.
Tutors
Course Outline
Please note that main content will be delivered between 18:00-19:30, though some optional participation (quizzes, Q&A, etc.) may continue beyond that time.
Thursday 18 Feburary, 18:00-19:30 (UK time)
Week one – What’s in a name?
This session looks at artefacts bearing royal names. Drawing on examples from temple inscriptions to coffins, we’ll learn to spot simple cartouches and see how a Pharaoh’s five names were written.
Thursday 3 July 2025, 18:00-19:30 (UK time)
Week two – Texts in the tomb
Because so many museum artefacts come from tombs, it is easy to assume the ancient Egyptians were preoccupied with death. In fact, many grave goods relate to everyday life, reflecting a belief that the afterlife mirrored the world of the living. This session examines shabtis and their Book of the Dead spells, as well as walking sticks from Tutankhamun’s tomb.
Thursday 25th February, 18:00-19:30 (UK time)
Week three – Hieroglyphs in an hour
In this final week, we will study the offering formula inscribed on many stelae in museum collections. Although examples vary, its core elements are easy to recognise, so you will soon be able to read whole sentences from ancient Egyptian monuments and impress your friends.
Booking and information
Register for your place in advance using the link below. Here, you can select to pay for optional add-ons. You can buy a personalised certificate for £5.99, featuring your name, the event name and start date, which will be signed by the EES Engagement Manager to confirm your attendance at this online course.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about your booking. If you do not receive your email, then please check your junk folders before contacting the Egypt Exploration Society. The course will be held on our Zoom platform and attendees will be able to interact by asking questions, using the chat and polls. It is not necessary to have a working webcam or microphone for this course. The online course will be complemented by Google Drive, where resources will be uploaded.
Recordings will be made available for those unable to attend the live sessions! These recordings will be available via a YouTube playlist for approximately one month after the final class.
Please ensure that you have read our guide to attending EES events before the course begins.
