Unit information: The Ancient Egyptian World of the Dead in 2013/14

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Unit name The Ancient Egyptian World of the Dead
Unit code ARCH30009
Credit points 20
Level of study H/6
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director Professor. Dodson
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

ARCH20010
Co-requisites

None
School/department Department of Anthropology and Archaeology
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This unit explores in detail a variety of aspects of Egyptian funerary archaeology, including :religious beliefs; mummification; mortuary containers; tomb architecture; tomb decoration; cemetery topography; modern study of Egyptian cemeteries and ethical issues.

Aims:

  • To provide students with a detailed and critical knowledge of:
  • the key elements of Egyptian funerary belief and practice during the last three millennia BC;
  • the main discoveries in this field from a historical perspective
  • differing interpretations of the available evidence
  • ethical questions concerning the study of funerary remains

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit, a successful student will be able to:

1) demonstrate a basic knowledge of Egyptian funerary beliefs; the main cemeteries of Egypt; the basic structure of the typical tomb; the decorative motifs employed in the various parts of the tomb at different periods; the main elements of the furnishings of the tomb over time; the evolution of the containers for the body and the treatment of the latter to ensure its preservation.

2) summarise the historical perspective on the subject

3) understand the different interpretations of the archaeological and written evidence.

Teaching Information

Illustrated lectures plus seminars

Assessment Information

  • One 3000-3500 word essay 50% (ILOs 1-3)
  • One 2 hour exam 50% (ILOs 1-3)

Reading and References

  • A. Dodson & S. Ikram, The Tomb in Ancient Egypt (London, 2008).
  • S. Ikram & A.Dodson, The Mummy in Ancient Egypt (London, 1998).
  • I.E.S. Edwards, The Pyramids of Egypt (London, 1985).
  • A. Dodson, After the Pyramids (London, 2000).
  • G.A. Reisner, The Development of Egyptian Tomb Down to the Accession of Cheops (Cambridge, MA, 1936).

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