Decoding the Afterlife: Ancient Egyptian Tombstones with Dr. Nicky Nielsen

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Have you ever wandered through a museum, captivated by the mysterious hieroglyphs on ancient Egyptian artifacts, and wondered what they mean? Join us this Halloween season for a unique journey into the world of ancient Egyptian tombstones! In this course, we’ll delve into the fascinating Offering Formula—an inscription found on tombstones (stela) of both the wealthy and the humble. These inscriptions, invoking gods like Osiris and Anubis, were believed to sustain the souls of the deceased with magical food offerings in the Afterlife.

Over three sessions, you'll learn to decode these ancient texts, uncovering the rich spiritual and cultural significance behind them. We’ll explore how these inscriptions were crafted, how tombstones were made, and how the ancient Egyptians honored their ancestors through these lasting monuments. By the end of this course, you'll not only have the tools to recognize and read key elements of the Offering Formula but also a deeper appreciation for the beliefs and rituals of ancient Egypt—skills that will enrich your next museum visit.

SYLLABUS AT A GLANCE

This course includes three total sessions, each lasting 1.5 hours on three consecutive Sundays beginning October 20.

Session 1 (Sunday, 10/20, 1–2:30 PM ET)| Ancient Egyptian Afterlife & Hieroglyphics

Session 2 (Sunday, 10/27, 1–9:30 PM ET)| Making Stelae & The Offering Formula

Session 3 (Sunday, 11/3, 1–9:30 PM ET)| Reading Divine Epithets & Offerings

BETWEEN SESSIONS

Students will be provided with further reading after each session as well as a list of online museum resources and catalogs which will allow them to explore ancient Egyptian stelae further.

YOUR INSTRUCTOR, DR. NICKY NIELSEN

Dr. Nicky Nielsen is a UK-based Egyptologist and a contributor to Atlas Obscura where he writes the column “A Beginner’s Guide to the Afterlife”. He is also the author of several books about ancient Egypt including Egyptomaniacs: How We Became Obsessed With Ancient Egypt (2020). Website/Social Media: X: @N_Nielsen4

WHAT TO EXPECT

This lecture series is designed so students can participate live or watch a recording of each session, after it airs, at a time that is convenient for them. Sessions will take place live over Zoom, with dedicated Q&A segments for students to ask questions via video or chat. Within 72 hours after each session meets, students will receive access to a recording of the live session, which they can watch for up to two weeks after the course concludes.

Instructors may use Google Classroom to communicate with students outside of class. While students aren’t required to use Google Classroom, instructors may use this platform to post resources, discussion questions, or assignments. This platform also offers a space for students to connect with one another about course material between sessions.

ACCESSING YOUR COURSE

Once registered, you’ll receive a confirmation email from Eventbrite that will provide access to the class meeting. Please save the confirmation email as you’ll use it to access all sessions of your course via Zoom.

PRICING OPTIONS

This course is available at three ticket prices. This tiered pricing model is designed to increase access for a wider range of students as well as to support our instructors. In addition to tiered tickets, we offer a limited number of no-pay spots for students who would not otherwise be able to take this course. No-pay spots are selected via a randomized drawing two weeks before each section begins. For more information and to apply for a no-pay spot, please click here. To learn more about our pricing model and randomized selection process for no-pay spots, please visit our FAQ page.

COMMUNITY GUIDELINES FOR STUDENTS

Please take a moment to review our community guidelines for students, which aim to share our classroom ethos and help set the stage for the best possible learning experience.

ACCESSIBILITY

We provide closed captioning for all of our courses and can share transcripts upon request. Please reach out to us at [email protected] if you have any questions, requests, or accessibility needs.

ATLAS OBSCURA ONLINE COURSES

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