This course will introduce participants to the rich and vibrant civilisation of Ancient Egypt.

From royal pyramids, court artisans and powerful pharaohs, to grandiose temples and mysterious gods, we will look at the highs, lows, and rich tapestry of Ancient Egyptian culture.

Who were the Ancient Egyptians? Why did they create such monumental constructions and such magnificent works of art?

The culture, history, art, architecture, and religion of Ancient Egypt has long captured the imagination of people across the world.

Using archaeological, textual, and pictorial evidence, we shall delve into this world, see how it developed, and why it came to an end.

Over the weeks we will read the words of ancient kings, priests, courtiers, and artisans, witness great artistic triumphs across 3,000 years of history, explore the beliefs of people from the different ends of society's spectrum, and learn how they lived in a world, that
although familiar, was quite different from our own.

Sarah's passion for Egyptology started in childhood.  She was fortunate enough to spend consecutive summers in Egypt in the early 80s. At university, she read for a degree in History and Archaeology with the focus on ancient civilisations and their trading routes.

In the late 90s, Sarah taught in Cairo, enabling her to visit many of her favourite archaeological sites again as well as discovering new ones. Her particular interest lies with the New Kingdom, focusing on the 18th Dynasty, especially the Armana Period. She visited the site with eminent archaeologists on several occasions, and now maintains her interest through personal research, especially into the iconography found at Minya and at Tel Armana.