Become acquainted with the domestic and working lives of Ancient Egypt's non-elite women. A lifecourse journey from the perils of childbirth to the esteemed position of older wise women.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
Much of our evidence for the lives of non-elite women in Ancient Egypt derives from Deir el-Medina, the New Kingdom desert village of Pharaohs' tomb-builders on the West Bank of modern Luxor. This settlement sheds light into menstruation, contraception, and childbirth, together with marriage, adultery, and divorce. With its remarkable forty per cent literacy rate, there is tangible evidence that some of its female inhabitants could read and write. Delving into the working lives of non-elite Egyptian women - from bread-makers and spinners to musicians and dentists - will enable us to assess their vital socio-economic contribution. We take a glimpse into the privileged position of older women at Deir el-Medina, including the role of the shadowy Wise Woman. A close up and personal visit to the Petrie Museum at UCL concludes the day.
What will we cover?
Session 1: Menstruation, Contraception, and Childbirth Session 2: Marriage, Adultery, and Divorce Session 3: Working Women and Wise Women Session 4: Visit to the Petrie Museum
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
describe the domestic and working lives of non-elite women in Ancient Egypt
recognise what their life courses tell us about the socio-economic status of non-elite females
evaluate the supporting evidence regarding non-elite women from material culture
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is a basic course. No prior knowledge is required, and you do not need any particular skills.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Illustrated Powerpoint seminars, questions and answers, group discussion, class visit. Handouts will be provided and websites recommended for follow-up reading after the class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Pen and paper to write on.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Any other ancient languages or civilisation class. See website for details.
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.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/non-elite-women-in-ancient-egypt1178320Non-elite women in Ancient Egypthttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/ancient-civiliations-city-lit.jpg7979GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Ancient civilisations/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Ancient civilisations/Ancient civilisations/Courses/Weird and wonderful City Lit228511771191119217451228511771191<p>Become acquainted with the domestic and working lives of Ancient Egypt's non-elite women. A lifecourse journey from the perils of childbirth to the esteemed position of older wise women.</p>003030817Non-elite women in Ancient Egypt7979https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/ancient-civiliations-city-lit.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-11-28T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allNov 2026Culture, history & humanitiesRC4127979Non-elite women in Ancient Egypt635179Rosalind Janssennon-elite-women-in-ancient-egypt/rc412-2627<p>Become acquainted with the domestic and working lives of Ancient Egypt's non-elite women. A lifecourse journey from the perils of childbirth to the esteemed position of older wise women.</p>0000-Available|2026-11-28 00:00:00<p>Much of our evidence for the lives of non-elite women in Ancient Egypt derives from Deir el-Medina, the New Kingdom desert village of Pharaohs' tomb-builders on the West Bank of modern Luxor. This settlement sheds light into menstruation, contraception, and childbirth, together with marriage, adultery, and divorce. With its remarkable forty per cent literacy rate, there is tangible evidence that some of its female inhabitants could read and write. Delving into the working lives of non-elite Egyptian women - from bread-makers and spinners to musicians and dentists - will enable us to assess their vital socio-economic contribution. We take a glimpse into the privileged position of older women at Deir el-Medina, including the role of the shadowy Wise Woman. A close up and personal visit to the Petrie Museum at UCL concludes the day.</p><p>Become acquainted with the domestic and working lives of Ancient Egypt's non-elite women. A lifecourse journey from the perils of childbirth to the esteemed position of older wise women.</p><p>Session 1: Menstruation, Contraception, and Childbirth<br>Session 2: Marriage, Adultery, and Divorce<br>Session 3: Working Women and Wise Women<br>Session 4: Visit to the Petrie Museum</p><ul><li>describe the domestic and working lives of non-elite women in Ancient Egypt</li><li>recognise what their life courses tell us about the socio-economic status of non-elite females</li><li>evaluate the supporting evidence regarding non-elite women from material culture</li></ul><p>This is a basic course. No prior knowledge is required, and you do not need any particular skills.</p><p>Illustrated Powerpoint seminars, questions and answers, group discussion, class visit. Handouts will be provided and websites recommended for follow-up reading after the class.</p><p>Pen and paper to write on.</p><p>Any other ancient languages or civilisation class. See website for details.</p>Ancient civilisationsAncient civilisationsvirtual637951RC412NONESat28/11/2611:00 - 17:0011:0017:001 session1One-off onlyWeekendKSKeeley StreetRosalind JanssenBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-11-28T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeNov 2026Culture, history & humanities7979Non-elite women in Ancient Egyptnon-elite-women-in-ancient-egypt/rc412-2627<p>Become acquainted with the domestic and working lives of Ancient Egypt's non-elite women. A lifecourse journey from the perils of childbirth to the esteemed position of older wise women.</p>0000-Available|2026-11-28 00:00:00<p>Much of our evidence for the lives of non-elite women in Ancient Egypt derives from Deir el-Medina, the New Kingdom desert village of Pharaohs' tomb-builders on the West Bank of modern Luxor. This settlement sheds light into menstruation, contraception, and childbirth, together with marriage, adultery, and divorce. With its remarkable forty per cent literacy rate, there is tangible evidence that some of its female inhabitants could read and write. Delving into the working lives of non-elite Egyptian women - from bread-makers and spinners to musicians and dentists - will enable us to assess their vital socio-economic contribution. We take a glimpse into the privileged position of older women at Deir el-Medina, including the role of the shadowy Wise Woman. A close up and personal visit to the Petrie Museum at UCL concludes the day.</p><p>Become acquainted with the domestic and working lives of Ancient Egypt's non-elite women. A lifecourse journey from the perils of childbirth to the esteemed position of older wise women.</p><p>Session 1: Menstruation, Contraception, and Childbirth<br>Session 2: Marriage, Adultery, and Divorce<br>Session 3: Working Women and Wise Women<br>Session 4: Visit to the Petrie Museum</p><ul><li>describe the domestic and working lives of non-elite women in Ancient Egypt</li><li>recognise what their life courses tell us about the socio-economic status of non-elite females</li><li>evaluate the supporting evidence regarding non-elite women from material culture</li></ul><p>This is a basic course. No prior knowledge is required, and you do not need any particular skills.</p><p>Illustrated Powerpoint seminars, questions and answers, group discussion, class visit. Handouts will be provided and websites recommended for follow-up reading after the class.</p><p>Pen and paper to write on.</p><p>Any other ancient languages or civilisation class. See website for details.</p>Ancient civilisationsAncient civilisationsconfigurable
11921191Ancient civilisationshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/ancient-civilisations/ancient-civilisations-11/2/285/1177/1191/11921/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Ancient civilisations/Ancient civilisations
Up close and personal with Greek archaeological treasuresFull fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00
