Certificate of Completion
At the end of this course you will be able to download a personalised certificate of completion from the classroom. A great way to keep track of your learning and celebrate your Egyptological journey.
Reading Texts on Museum Objects
with Dr Claudia Naeser
6 lectures Tuesday evenings 22nd April- 27th May
7.30-9pm*
We love to see you for the live lectures, but if you have to miss one, don't worry, you can of course catch up (or watch again) at your leisure via the recordings. You will have access to the recorded lectures for a whole month after the last live lecture. Recordings will be available until 27th June.
With this unique approach, the course is designed to both, boost your confidence and proficiency in engaging with hieroglyphic texts, and expand your understanding of Egyptian mortuary culture.
We will start by exploring different types of formulaic inscriptions and learn about key words which allow us to identify them. In a second step, we will locate and read the names of the owners of the objects under study, including their titles and family relations. Moving on, we will read and translate brief formulaic inscriptions on coffins, canopic jars, shabtis and other selected objects of Old to New Kingdom burial equipment. This includes basic versions of the most important Egyptian funerary prayer, the so-called offering formula. We will discuss vocabulary, basic elements of grammar and the religious meanings of the texts as we go along.
After completing the course you should be able to approach Egyptian funerary objects in museums with the confidence of being able to recognize the formulaic texts with which they are inscribed, identify and read the names of their owners and, with the help of the resources provided in the course, engage with the different categories of inscriptions.
Participants will receive advance access to the inscriptions and additional information about the objects discussed in the sessions to support preparation before and self-study between sessions.
The sessions are intended to be interactive so you can work on your proficiency and ability to read and translate the hieroglyphic inscriptions, ask questions and get feedback. Plus, with full recordings of each session, you can revisit the material for deeper study. Open the door to the written world of ancient Egypt and become your own museum guide! You also have the option to join our supportive student hieroglyph group where you can ask questions, share information and discuss the text between classes.
Sessions are supported with a range of materials:
- hieroglyphic texts and additional information about the objects discussed in the sessions
- links to online resources to support your learning
- access to a private facebook group where you can join our community of friendly hieroglyph students to encourage each other and ask questions
- recordings of the sessions giving you the opportunity to study at a time to suit you.
Who is this course intended for?
This course is suitable for students who have an emerging knowledge of hieroglyphs. No knowledge of grammar is needed, but students will be expected to be able to recognise a reasonable number of hieroglyph signs and already be able to read a few words.*
It is also suitable for the student looking to build their confidence and develop their knowledge and fluency when reading formulas and common inscriptions.
*If you wish you can prepare for this course by exploring our Beginner’s Hieroglyphs self-study course, a pre-recorded program designed to guide you at your own pace. Alternatively, Bill Manley’s book Hieroglyphs for Complete Beginners is a fantastic resource to get you started. With these tools, you’ll be well on your way to unlocking the world of Egyptian texts!
Course outline
Week 1 Introduction: Inscriptions on objects – what are they for, what kinds are there, how can we make sense of them? Identifying and reading the names of owners of objects (and monuments) in the inscriptions. Discussion of names, titles and family terms
Week 2 Introduction: Simple inscriptions on funerary furniture. Inscriptions on Canopic jars. Reading exercises
Week 3 Introduction: The offering formula. Recognizing the offering formula on different types of objects. Reading exercises.
Week 4 Reading inscriptions on coffins, based on examples from the British Museum and other collections
Week 5 Inscriptions on shabtis: The shabti spell and other short formulaic inscriptions. Reading exercises
Week 6 Consolidating new knowledge and building confidence. Additional reading exercises
*Please note that the lecture on 13th May will start 15 minutes later so that students who are ESB members can attend that lecture too. (Room opens 7.15, lecture 7.45-9)
Dr Claudia Naeser
Claudia Naeser is Associate Professor in Egyptian Archaeology at University College London. Her research and teaching are broad and interdisciplinary with a particular focus on mortuary culture of New Kingdom Egypt and Nubia. Claudia has published widely on these topics. She currently directs the Shalfak Archaeological Mission (https://www.ees.ac.uk/resource/building-shalfak.html) and the Mograt Island Archaeological Mission (www.mogratarchaeology.com). Claudia is also the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Egyptian Archaeology (https://www.ees.ac.uk/our-cause/publications/journal-of-egyptian-archaeology.html).
Booking instructions
To book your place on this course you must add this product to your basket and go through the checkout process. You can pay with PayPal or your debit card, or you can select to post a cheque or make a bank transfer. Once your payment is received and complete you will have access to the course pages from your profile page. By booking a course you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions which can be read here.
Session links will be available in the course Classroom. Room opens 30 minutes before the lecture begins. If you do not have the course link or have any other queries please get in touch.