A short course running at Liverpool’s World Museum this August will offer people the chance to explore the history of Ancient Egypt, utilising some of the finest antiquities collections in the UK.
The six-week program features specialist-led talks, gallery tours, behind-the-scenes workshops, and hands-on object handling sessions designed for both beginners and intermediate learners.
Running on Sunday afternoons from 1 pm to 4 pm beginning on 2 August, the full course is priced at £220 per participant, which includes an exclusive, optional visit to the museum’s closed antiquities stores scheduled for Friday 11 September.
Organisers have advised attendees to arrive 15 minutes before each session, as late entry to the back-of-house areas will not be possible once classes begin.
The educational series is part of a broader initiative by National Museums Liverpool (NML) aimed at opening up its world-class heritage collections to the wider public. Tickets can be booked directly through the official museum platform.
A Weekly Journey Through Landscapes, Dynasties, and Deities
The weekly itinerary covers a wide historical arc, starting in week one with a study of the natural geographical landscapes and Egypt’s relationships with its neighboring territories.
The subsequent weeks trace the timeline of the pharaohs, beginning with the initial 1,500 years of the Dynastic Period.
This section highlights the engineering achievements of early pyramid architects like Imhotep, Djoser, and Khufu, alongside the military campaigns of expansionist kings such as Senwosret III.
The historical timeline then advances into the prominent figures of the New Kingdom, tracing the reigns of Akhenaten, Tutankhamun, and Ramesses II, up to the eventual collapse of the pharaonic empire.
The course also examines the evolution of early religious thought, explaining how spiritual beliefs shifted over time and unpacking the core attributes of the culture’s most enduring deities.
Challenging Death Myths and Exploring Hidden Museum Legacies
The final phase of the course tackles common historical misconceptions, specifically addressing the widespread belief that the civilisation was purely obsessed with death.
Instead, tutors will offer a comprehensive overview of how changing mortuary rituals, beliefs surrounding the human soul, and complex mummification techniques were actually centred on securing an eternity of life.
The curriculum concludes with a retrospective look at modern archaeology, examining historical milestones such as the excavation of Tutankhamun’s tomb and debating the future direction of modern Egyptology.
On the final day, students will be granted access to the museum’s restricted storage facilities to examine genuine artefacts directly alongside the curatorial team.
