Short course
Ancient Egyptian Grave Goods
Course status:
Applications being accepted
Dates and time:
21/01/2027 - 18/02/202714:00 - 16:00
Study format:
In-person weekly
Fees:
£190.00
Most Ancient Egyptian artefacts derive from tombs, with some pertaining to the realm of the dead and others to the sphere of daily life. This course will acquaint you with the five most common grave goods: shabtis; scarabs and amulets; canopic jars and coffins. It will further review a lesser known artefact category: Letters to the Dead. Aided by a visit to the Ashmolean Museum, we explore some of the challenges faced by today's conservators in preserving the fragile materials from which these grave goods are made, and the decisions curators must then take when displaying them to the public.
Book this course
Book your place online using the button below.
Course starts Thursday 21 January 2027
This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Thursdays, 2.00-4.00pm.
Week 1: Shabtis
Week 2: Scarabs and Amulets
Week 3: Letters to the Dead
Week 4: Canopic Jars & Coffins
Week 5: Visit to the Ashmolean Museum
Please note: students will have to arrange their own transport for the field trip, and cover the cost of any entry fees.
Course aims
Course aim:
The aim of this course is to introduce students to the study of material culture by providing a basic knowledge of a selection of some common grave goods found in Ancient Egyptian tombs
Course objectives:
- describe six categories of Ancient Egyptian grave goods
- recognise what these object categories have to tell us about Ancient Egyptian religious thought
- evaluate issues involved in the conservation and display of fragile materials
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course students will be expected to:
- recognise six key Egyptian grave goods
- critically evaluate the religious theme inherent in Ancient Egyptian artefacts
- engage in object-based learning in order to discuss issues involved with the conservation and display of these grave goods
Level and demands
The Department’s Weekly Classes are taught at first year undergraduate level.
Teaching methods
A diverse range of teaching methods will be used throughout the course, acknowledging that students learn in different ways.
Seminar format with:
- tutor presentations using PowerPoint and video clips
- questions and answers
- whole group discussion
- small group activities
- museum object-based learning
Assessment methods
This course is not accredited, so there are no assessments or coursework.
Mrs Rosalind Janssen
Rosalind Janssen’s career was spent at UCL: firstly as a curator of the Petrie Museum, and then as a Lecturer in Egyptology at the Institute of Archaeology. She currently teaches Egyptology at Oxford Lifelong Learning and the City Lit in London.
Digital badge
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be issued with an official digital badge from the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford. In order to be issued with your badge, you will need to have attended at least 80% of the course.
After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download your digital badge. You will be able to add this badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course fee | £190.00 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, or are a care-leaver in the UK, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Concessionary fees for short courses
Recommended reading
Recommended reading is optional and you are not required to purchase these books to study this course.
Library facilities
All weekly class students may become borrowing members of the Rewley House Library, part of the Bodleian Libraries, for the duration of their course. Prospective students whose courses have not yet started are also welcome to use the Library for reference.
- More information about the Library can be found on the Bodleian Libraries website.
- This guide for Weekly Class students also provides further information.
Preparatory reading
- Egyptian Faience and Glass / Nicholson, Paul T.
- The Bri�tish Museum Dic�tionary of Ancient Egypt / Nicholson, Paul T.
- The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt / Wilkinson, Richard H.
Module code: O26P436AHW
How to enrol
Please use the ‘Book now’ button on this page.