Were the Ancient Egyptians just like us?

What it meant to be human in Ancient Egypt

Did the ancient Egyptians experience the world the same way we do? What made them angry and what made them laugh? How did they cope with loss, grief – or boredom? What challenges did they face and where did they search for help? This talk explores some key aspects of the everyday life experience in New Kingdom Egypt (1550-1069 BCE), from childhood to death, and beyond, while also reflecting on our modern biases while searching for an eternal human experience in past societies.

Moving Minds

Part of the Moving Minds events series. Moving Minds aims to give people the chance to keep learning — not in a formal setting, but in a relaxed, welcoming space. It gives experts and storytellers 40 minutes to talk about their chosen subject within science and well-being.

Key takeaways

The audience will:

• get a very brief introduction to the history of New Kingdom Egypt
• gain a glimpse into the everyday life in Deir el-Medina (the village of the workers who built the tombs in the Valley of the Kings), including local gossips, intergenerational conflicts and criminal proceedings
• will hear some ancient Egyptian jokes
• will learn about key themes in current Egyptological discourse, such as the concepts of prestige and the construction of identity
• will gain an understanding of how the colonial origins of Egyptology still strongly influence how we reconstruct the social and cultural history of ancient Egypt
   

Find out more about Dr Zsuzsanna Vegh, Tutor in Ancient Egyptian Language, in her staff profile, link below.