Short Course on Deir el-Medina

A few weeks ago, my short course on the Religion of the Ancient Egyptians concluded. This was the second short course since the Covid pandemic, with fees going to support the Egypt Centre. Unlike previous courses organized by the Egypt Centre, which have been very much hands on object-focused learning, sessions have been conducted through the medium of Zoom. Yet this has proven quite beneficial, particularly in attracting a larger audience from across the world. Following the success of these short courses, I will be starting a new one in a few weeks entitled Deir el-Medina: The Village of the Artisans.

Fig. 1: Painted relief from Deir el-Medina depicting Khabekhnet and his wife Sahte offering to the gods

Deir el-Medina’s contribution to the study and understanding of ancient Egyptian civilisation is immeasurable. This village, which was occupied from the Eighteenth to Twentieth Dynasty, was unlike any other Egyptian settlement site. Drawing on objects housed in the Egypt Centre collection, this course will examine the history, rediscovery, and daily lives of the inhabitants. Characters such as Paneb, Sennedjem, and Kenherkhepshef will help to transport us back in time to the “golden age” of Egyptian history.

Fig. 2: Offering stand belonging to Paneb

In order to be as accessible as possible, lectures will be run twice a week:

-        Sunday evenings 6–8pm (UK time)

-        Wednesday mornings 10–12am (UK time)

Additionally, one of the sessions will be recorded and made available to participants who may not be able to attend the sessions. As always, I’ll be drawing on relevant objects in the Egypt Centre collection, particularly those originating from the village. Participants will also receive exclusive access to the new Egypt Centre Online Catalogue ahead of its official launch on the 08 October.

Fig. 3: Bes vessel from Deir el-Medina

Course Outline

Week 1 (Sunday 06 September or Wednesday 09 September): The village and its rediscovery

Week 2 (Sunday 13 September or Wednesday 16 September): The workers and their families

Week 3 (Sunday 20 September or Wednesday 23 September): Religion at the village

Week 4 (Sunday 27 September or Wednesday 30 September): Justice at the village and the workers’ strikes

Week 5 (Sunday 04 October or Wednesday 07 October): The necropolis

The course costs £40 and can be booked via the following link

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/deir-el-medina-the-village-of-the-artisans-tickets-116993222879