Mummification in Tutankhamun’s Egypt (online short course)

Start date: Monday 3 October 2022
Webinars: Every Thursday, 7pm-8:30pm (UK time)
Duration: 5 weeks

Course overview

In this centenary year of Howard Carter’s discovery of the intact tomb of the boy-king, Tutankhamun, join experts from The University of Manchester for an exciting journey back in time to Egypt’s New Kingdom.

Intense interest since the discovery has fuelled extensive study of Tutankhamun’s mummified body and the grave goods that were buried with him.

Using advances in scientific techniques, we will consider what Tutankhamun’s mummy can tell us about life, death and preservation in the 18th Dynasty.

We will cover topics such as whether the treatment he received was standard for the time and the ethical debates surrounding his unwrapping and subsequent studies.

The course will place Tutankhamun within a wider context, exploring burial practices for both non-elite and elite communities during the 18th Dynasty.

Course content

This unique course is delivered online over five weeks. Live webinars each week will consider the following topics:

  • Week 1 – An introduction to the discovery and study of Tutankhamun
  • Week 2 – Understanding religious ritual and the role of mummification
  • Week 3 – Scientific imaging and mummification
  • Week 4 – Interpreting burial practices in New Kingdom communities
  • Week 5 – Tutankhamun – a ‘classical’ example of royal mummification?

You will be encouraged to consider whether what we understand about Tutankhamun has been biased by the influence of archaeologists, academics and the media. How has a hundred years of obsession with Tutankhamun shaped our current view?

Course tutors will create a welcoming forum where participants can pose questions and be encouraged to think critically.

A wealth of resources will be available for online access to course participants wishing to delve further into this exciting subject.

Webinars will be available to view following broadcast for those participants who might struggle to attend live.All online material will be delivered through our online learning environment – this is suitable for students studying online using Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge web browsers on both mobile and desktop devices.

Who the course is for

This unique online short course is suitable for interested amateurs and prior learning is not required. However, a basic understanding of Egyptology would be advantageous.

Course fees 

  • £150 per person
  • £100 for students (with proof of registration)

How to apply

Places can be booked online via the University Estore.

Payment should be made by credit or debit card.

The deadline for registration is Friday 30 September 2022.

Terms and conditions

Please read the terms and conditions (PDF) of your Lifelong Learning course before booking your place.

Please also read the terms and conditions of your online booking.