Ancient Egypt: a history in six objects

This course provides an introduction to ancient Egyptian history, using six items from the collections of the Manchester Museum. These items have been carefully chosen to reflect the development of the Dynastic Age through their origin, manufacture, decoration, and use. Week by week we will examine a different artefact and place it in its social and historical context. This will allow us to journey from Predynastic Egypt and its first king, Narmer, to Greco-Roman Egypt and its final queen, Cleopatra VII.

Since this is an introduction to ancient Egypt, no prior knowledge of the history, geography, religion or society of ancient Egypt is needed – all that we ask is that learners are open minded, tolerant and polite at all times.

The course largely consists of video guides and discussions, accompanied by recommended reading either provided in PDF format or by way of links to curated external sites.