Disease, death and mummies in Ancient Egypt
Course Code: RC020
Duration: 1 session
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What is the course about?
Living and dying with disease; being buried and mummified in Ancient Egypt. What are the latest discoveries and theories? Who is carrying out this work, and what are the ethical considerations? Human remains in a museum setting.
What will we cover?
The evidence for disease from Egyptian mummies. What we know about dying and burial. The mummification procedure. New research on excavations and in museums, and who is doing it. The ethics involved. There will be a ‘behind-the-scenes’ class visit to the British Museum.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- list the diseases that the Ancient Egyptians suffered from
- explain ‘a good death’ and burial in Ancient Egypt
- describe the mummification procedure
- evaluate our current understanding in the light of new research
- assess the ethics involved when displaying and studying human remains.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No previous knowledge of Ancient Egypt required.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Tutor presentation using AV material; questions and answers; discussion and debate; handouts and follow-up reading. A local ‘behind-the-scenes’ museum visit; advance consultation of the website of the British Museum will enhance this learning experience.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
None, apart from note-taking materials and travel and other associated costs for the British Museum visit.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Other 'Ancient history' courses.
Rosalind Janssen has a first degree in Ancient History and Archaeology from the University of Birmingham, specialising in Egyptology. She was a curator in UCL's Petrie Museum where, having discovered the world's earliest dress, she became a specialist in Ancient Egyptian textiles. She then became a Lecturer in Egyptology at UCL's Institute of Archaeology. Following this she moved to the UCL Institute of Education, swapping Egyptology for Education. She currently teaches Egyptology courses at the City Lit, and at Oxford University. She has published widely, including a book Growing Up and Getting Old in Ancient Egypt. She has also excavated in Egypt, including the Valley of the Kings.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
