Pyramids of Giza: Ancient Egyptian Art and Archaeology
- Free to audit
- Paid certificate
- Course certificate
- Beginner
- 8 weeks
Pyramids of Giza: Ancient Egyptian Art and Archaeology explores the Giza Plateau, with its Pyramids, Great Sphinx and surrounding cemeteries of decorated tombs, as a way into Old Kingdom Egypt and into the history and methods of archaeology. The course covers the pharaohs and high officials of the Pyramid Age, how the great twentieth-century expeditions explored and documented the site, the cultural and religious significance of the pyramids, tombs and temples, the role of hieroglyphic inscriptions in the tombs, and the art of the Old Kingdom. It also shows how digital tools such as 3D modelling are reshaping Egyptology and what the future may hold for understanding and experiencing Giza.
It is self-paced, eight weeks long at 2 to 4 hours per week, and rated introductory. Harvard lists the course as free to audit on edX, with a verified certificate for $219.
What you’ll learn
- Describe who explored Giza and how they documented it
- Explain the cultural and religious significance of the pyramids, tombs and temples
- Read the role of hieroglyphic inscriptions in Giza's tombs
- Appreciate Old Kingdom Egyptian art
- See how 3D modelling and digital tools are changing Egyptology
Who it’s for
Anyone curious about ancient Egypt or how archaeology works; no background is required.
Source: Harvard Online (opens in a new tab) · Verified · Report a change
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