Death in Ancient Egypt

by Dr Kath Slinger

The Ancient Egyptians are commonly believed to have been obsessed with death – in fact, they loved life so much that they wanted it to continue forever! This lecture will provide an overview of the funerary beliefs of the Ancient Egyptians, and the provisions they made to ensure a successful transition into the afterlife. We will consider a selection of tombs and how they functioned, including a look at some of the most important scenes found on their walls. We will also learn about the role of coffins, magical funerary texts and the process of mummification, and how all these complex beliefs and elaborate rituals complemented each other after death in order to guarantee that life could continue to be enjoyed in the next world.

Kath and her colleagues are offering a range of Egyptology and Ancient History short courses. Click here for more.