Wonders of Ancient Egypt from Coursera

Colossal pyramids, imposing temples, golden treasures, enigmatic hieroglyphs, powerful pharaohs, strange gods, and mysterious mummies are features of Ancient Egyptian culture that have fascinated people over the millennia. The Bible refers to its gods, rulers, and pyramids. Neighboring cultures in the ancient Near East and Mediterranean wrote about its god-like kings and its seemingly endless supply of gold. The Greeks and Romans describe aspects of Egypt's culture and history.

As the 19th century began, the Napoleonic campaign in Egypt highlighted the wonders of this ancient land, and public interest soared. Not long after, Champollion deciphered Egypt's hieroglyphs and paved the way for other scholars to reveal that Egyptian texts dealt with medicine, dentistry, veterinary practices, mathematics, literature, and accounting, and many other topics. Then, early in the 20th century, Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun and its fabulous contents. Exhibitions of this treasure a few decades later resulted in the world's first blockbuster, and its revival in the 21st century has kept interest alive.

Join Dr. David Silverman, Professor of Egyptology at Penn, Curator in Charge of the Egyptian Section of the Penn Museum, and curator of the Tutankhamun exhibitions on a guided tour of the mysteries and wonders of this ancient land. He has developed this online course and set it in the galleries of the world famous Penn Museum. He uses many original Egyptian artifacts to illustrate his lectures as he guides students as they make their own discovery of this fascinating culture.

This course focused on five key areas in the study of Ancient Egypt: 1) Principles of Egyptian Art, 2) The Basics of the Language of Ancient Egypt: Hieroglyphs, 3) Egyptian Magic, 4) Akhenaten, Tutankhamun, and the Religion of the Aten, and 5) The Burial of Tutankhamun and the Search for his Tomb.

This course is intended to accompany, and ideally to follow, Introduction to Ancient Egypt (also available on Coursera).

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to the Course

Principles of Egyptian Art

The Basics of the Language of Ancient Egypt: Hieroglyphs

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Provides a comprehensive overview of Ancient Egyptian history, art, language, and culture

Taught by an expert in Egyptology, Dr. David Silverman, who is also the curator of the Penn Museum's Egyptian section

Utilizes artifacts from the Penn Museum's collection to illustrate and enhance the lectures

Explores topics such as Egyptian art, hieroglyphs, magic, and the religion of the Aten

Ideal for learners interested in a general introduction to Ancient Egypt

Reviews summary

Deep dive into ancient egypt's wonders

According to learners, this course offers a fascinating deep dive into key aspects of Ancient Egypt. Students particularly praise the engaging lectures delivered by Dr. Silverman, often filmed within the Penn Museum, allowing for unique insights through the use of original artifacts. The content covers intriguing topics like art, hieroglyphs, magic, and the period of Akhenaten and Tutankhamun. While many found it accessible, some note that taking the suggested prerequisite Introduction course is beneficial for full understanding. Overall, it's considered an excellent experience for enthusiasts of this ancient civilization.

Covers compelling subjects in an engaging way.

"The topics covered were exactly what I wanted to learn about."

"Egyptian Magic and Akhenaten sections were particularly captivating."

"Felt like I finally understood the context of Tutankhamun's tomb."

"Provides a good overview of key wonders..."

Using museum setting and artifacts enhances learning.

"Learning with the artifacts right there in the museum was incredible."

"Seeing the actual objects discussed added so much depth."

"The museum backdrop made the lectures come alive."

"I felt like I was on a private tour of the Penn Museum."

Instructor makes topics fascinating and clear.

"Dr. Silverman is an amazing lecturer, knowledgeable and passionate."

"His lectures are so engaging and easy to follow."

"The professor's explanations were crystal clear..."

"I loved the way the lectures were delivered, really held my attention."

Brief introduction, might be challenging or too short.

"The hieroglyph section was interesting but very basic."

"Found the hieroglyph part a bit confusing without prior knowledge."

"Wished the hieroglyph module was a little more in-depth."

"It's just a taste, not a full understanding of hieroglyphs."

Better experienced after the Intro to Ancient Egypt course.

"Definitely helps if you've taken the Introduction course first."

"I jumped straight into this one and felt I missed some basics."

"Completing the intro course makes this one much richer."

"While standalone, it clearly builds on the previous course."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Wonders of Ancient Egypt with these activities:

The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt

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Gain a solid understanding of the history of Egypt as a contextual background for the course content.

View Ancient Egypt: A Very Short Introduction (Very... on Amazon

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Read a chapter from the book
Summarize the main points of the chapter
Identify any connections between the chapter and the course material

Review Written Hieroglyphs

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Understand how to write ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics to aid in deciphering art, pottery, and literature.

Browse courses on Hieroglyphics

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Trace written hieroglyphics
Look at examples of written hieroglyphics in art from the Penn museum website
Practice writing one written hieroglyphic every day

Learn to Translate Hieroglyphs with Rosetta Stone Online Resources

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Enhance your understanding of hieroglyphics by practicing translation using the Rosetta Stone.

Browse courses on Hieroglyphics

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Find online resources that offer interactive hieroglyphic translation tutorials
Follow the instructions and practice translating hieroglyphs
Compare your translations with those provided by the resource or instructor

Two other activities

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Create an Ancient Egyptian Timeline

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Solidify your understanding of the chronological order of events and major developments in Ancient Egyptian history.

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Research key events and dates in Ancient Egyptian history
Organize the events chronologically on a timeline
Add visual aids to the timeline, such as images or maps
Present your timeline to the class or share it online with your instructor and peers

Develop a Lesson Plan on Ancient Egyptian Culture

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Translate your knowledge of Ancient Egyptian culture into a practical format that can be used to teach others.

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Identify the key concepts and topics you want to cover in your lesson plan
Develop age-appropriate activities and resources for your lesson
Create a presentation or document that outlines your lesson plan

Career center

Learners who complete Wonders of Ancient Egypt will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Egyptologist

Egyptologists focus on the study of ancient Egyptian history, culture, and religion. This course is perfectly tailored for aspiring Egyptologists, as it covers key areas such as hieroglyphics, magic, and the burial of Tutankhamun. Taking this course will aid you in developing a deep understanding of ancient Egyptian civilization and culture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Egyptologist

Archaeologist

Archaeologists study ancient civilizations through excavation of ancient sites and examination of artifacts. A course like Wonders of Ancient Egypt can help you understand the principles of Egyptian art, language, religion, and more. While field training is necessary before working as archaeologists independently, this course provides a meaningful introduction to the field by using original Egyptian artifacts.

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Archaeological Technician

Archaeological Technicians assist Archaeologists with excavation, recording, and analysis of archaeological sites. A course like Wonders of Ancient Egypt can introduce you to the principles of Egyptian art, language, and culture. This knowledge can be valuable in understanding the context and significance of archaeological findings.

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Curator

Curators plan and oversee the day-to-day operations of museums and other cultural institutions. This course can provide you with knowledge of Egyptian art and culture, which is particularly relevant for those seeking careers in art museums.

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Museum curator

Museum Curators are responsible for managing collections of artifacts and other objects, as well as overseeing their preservation, interpretation, and display. This course can be particularly valuable to those seeking a career in Egyptology or art history by providing you with knowledge of Egyptian artifacts and exhibition practices.

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Historian

Historians research, analyze, interpret, and write about the past. This course can help you build a solid foundation in ancient Egyptian history and provide insights into how historians approach the study of ancient civilizations.

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Art historian

Art Historians study the history of art, analyze works of art, and evaluate the significance of artistic movements. This course can help you build a foundation in Egyptian art history and provide insight into how other ancient civilizations have influenced Western art.

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Anthropologist

Anthropologists study the behavior, origin, and development of humans. Taking a course like Wonders of Ancient Egypt can provide you with insights into cultural practices, beliefs, and social structures, which are vital areas of study in the field.

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Religious Studies Professor

Religious Studies Professors teach and research religious traditions and beliefs. This course can be particularly useful for those interested in the religious aspects of ancient Egyptian culture. It provides insights into the beliefs and practices of ancient Egyptians, which can inform your teaching and research.

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Tour Guide

Tour Guides lead groups of people on tours of historical sites and landmarks. Having knowledge of ancient Egyptian history and culture like the principles of Egyptian art and the burial of Tutankhamun can help you provide informative and engaging tours.

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Writer

Writers produce written content such as articles, books, and scripts. A course like this can help you gain insights into ancient Egyptian history and culture, enabling you to write captivating and well-informed content on related topics.

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Editor

Editors review, correct, and prepare written material for publication. Having a foundation in ancient Egyptian history and culture can be valuable for editors working on books, articles, or other written content related to these topics.

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Archivist

Archivists acquire, preserve, and provide access to historical records and documents. This course may be useful for aspiring archivists who wish to specialize in ancient Egyptian history or culture. It can provide insights into the preservation and interpretation of ancient texts and artifacts.

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Teacher

Teachers lead instruction in a variety of academic subjects. This course can serve as a useful resource for teachers seeking to enrich their curriculum in history or art. By understanding the principles of Egyptian art and religion, you can create engaging and informative lessons.

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Librarian

Librarians help library users find information and resources. This course may be useful for librarians who wish to specialize in ancient Egypt or related fields. It can provide you with knowledge of Egyptian history and culture, which can be valuable in assisting patrons with research.

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