Decoding the Afterlife: Ancient Egyptian Tombstones With Dr. Nicky Nielsen
This course has already started! However, you can still join if you’d like to (and we hope you will!). Students enrolling after the course start date and time will have access to a recording of the first session (which will be emailed to participants within 72 hours) as well as the option to attend remaining sessions live. Please select the “Join Late” ticket type to enroll after the course has begun.
In this three-part lecture series, unravel the mysteries of ancient Egyptian tombstones & read the inscriptions guiding souls to the Afterlife.
Course Description
Have you ever wandered through a museum, captivated by the mysterious hieroglyphs on ancient Egyptian artifacts, and wondered what they mean? Join us this Halloween season for a unique journey into the world of ancient Egyptian tombstones! In this course, we’ll delve into the fascinating Offering Formula—an inscription found on tombstones (stela) of both the wealthy and the humble. These inscriptions, invoking gods like Osiris and Anubis, were believed to sustain the souls of the deceased with magical food offerings in the Afterlife.
Over three sessions, you'll learn to decode these ancient texts, uncovering the rich spiritual and cultural significance behind them. We’ll explore how these inscriptions were crafted, how tombstones were made, and how the ancient Egyptians honored their ancestors through these lasting monuments. By the end of this course, you'll not only have the tools to recognize and read key elements of the Offering Formula but also a deeper appreciation for the beliefs and rituals of ancient Egypt—skills that will enrich your next museum visit.
Try out your new decoding skills in the field with us next year on our first-ever family adventure to Egypt! Created in partnership with Tinkercast, creators of the #1 podcast for kids & families, this trip is designed specially for curious kids ages 5-12 & their grown-ups and led by an expert Egyptologist. (Or join us for our adults-only version this winter!)
Syllabus At A Glance
This course includes three total sessions, each lasting 1.5 hours on three consecutive Sundays beginning October 20.
Session 1 (Sunday, 10/20, 1–2:30 PM ET)| Ancient Egyptian Afterlife & Hieroglyphics
Session 2 (Sunday, 10/27, 1–2:30 PM ET)| Making Stelae & The Offering Formula
Session 3 (Sunday, 11/3, 1–2:30 PM ET)| Reading Divine Epithets & Offerings
Between Sessions
Students will be provided with further reading after each session as well as a list of online museum resources and catalogs which will allow them to explore ancient Egyptian stelae further.
Pricing Options
This course is available at three ticket prices. This tiered pricing model is designed to increase access for a wider range of students as well as to support our instructors. In addition to tiered tickets, we offer a limited number of no-pay spots for students who would not otherwise be able to take this course. No-pay spots are selected via a randomized drawing two weeks before each section begins. For more information and to apply for a no-pay spot, please click here. To learn more about our pricing model and randomized selection process for no-pay spots, please visit our FAQ page.
Community Guidelines for Students
Please take a moment to review our community guidelines for students, which aim to share our classroom ethos and help set the stage for the best possible learning experience.
Atlas Obscura Online Courses
Atlas Obscura Courses offer opportunities for participants to emerge with new skills, knowledge, connections, and perspectives through multi-session classes designed and taught by expert instructors. To learn more about our current course offerings, please visit www.atlasobscura.com/online-courses. For answers to commonly asked questions, check out our FAQ page here.
Founded in 2009, Atlas Obscura created the definitive community-driven guide to incredible places across the planet and is now an award-winning company that shares the world’s hidden wonders in person and online.
Once registered, you’ll receive a confirmation email from Eventbrite that will provide access to each class meeting. Please save the confirmation email as you’ll use it to access all sessions of your course via Zoom.
Dr. Nicky Nielsen is a UK-based Egyptologist and a contributor to Atlas Obscura where he writes the column “A Beginner’s Guide to the Afterlife”. He is also the author of several books about ancient Egypt including Egyptomaniacs: How We Became Obsessed With Ancient Egypt (2020).
Website/Social Media: X: @N_Nielsen4
This lecture series is designed so students can participate live or watch a recording of each session, after it airs, at a time that is convenient for them. Sessions will take place live over Zoom, with dedicated Q&A segments for students to ask questions via video or chat. Within 72 hours after each session meets, students will receive access to a recording of the live session, which they can watch for up to two weeks after the course concludes.
Instructors may use Google Classroom to communicate with students outside of class. While students aren’t required to use Google Classroom, instructors may use this platform to post resources, discussion questions, or assignments. This platform also offers a space for students to connect with one another about course material between sessions.
We provide closed captioning for all of our courses and can share transcripts upon request. Please reach out to us at experiences@atlasobscura.com if you have any questions, requests, or accessibility needs.
