Wonders of Egypt: The Great Tombs, Temples & Towns of the Pharaoh

They are some of the most storied ancient sites in the world. And the greatest wonders of man. The great buildings and architectural works of the ancient Egyptians never fail to mesmerize. Why and how were they built? How were they conceived and used by kings, priests and commoners? And what did they look like 3000 years ago? Come take an enriched learning journey up the Nile with Egyptologist Francois Roy and explore in depth the awe-inspiring pyramids, tombs, towns, temples and structures of this great civilization that continue to make Egypt a land of endless fascination.

Week #1 Glory of the Old Kingdom Great Pyramids of Dashur and Giza

This week we learn all about the pyramids of Egypt: The Pyramids of Giza and the predecessors in Dashur, Meidum, and Saqqara. Why were they built? What was the magic within? How were they constructed? And how did they function within society? We will explore the pyramids, structures, tombs, temples and other complexes of these great sites and meet the kings and builders behind them

Week #2: Nobles Tombs and Sun Temples

Old Kingdom Tombs: Old Kingdom Tombs at Sakkara and Sun Temples: We will look at the stunning nobles’ tombs dating from the 4th to 6th century BCE at Sakkara.

Week #3: Valley of the Kings and Workers

Valley of the Kings & Deir el Medina: For 500 years during the New Kingdom, the Valley of the Kings was they great burial place of the Pharaohs. Its most famous tomb belongs to King Tut – but it is one of the smallest and least significant in the Valley Let's go inside some the great tombs of the Kings of the New Kingdom - and explore the mysterious books of the dead carved and painted on the walls. Also let's visit an ancient town from 4000 years ago - where the workers and craftsmen who carved and painted the tombs once lived -- with tombs for their families even more splendid, in many respects, than those they crafted for the kings.

Week # 4 New Kingdom Temples:

Egyptian temples: They were great mansions of the gods on earth – places of worship that inspired our present-day churches, mosques and synagogues. But how and why were they originally built? What was the symbolism and how did they function at the heart of Egyptian society? Let’s explore temples this week. We begin with the mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, the stunning architectural marvel of the woman who would be king. We will also look at the magnificent temples and Amenhotep III (Colossi of Memnon), Luxor Temple and Seti I(as Osiris) at Abydos.

Week #5: Akhenaten’s Sun City & Ptolemaic Wonders

Akhenaten's City of Akhetaten: It was a unique city in the middle of the desert where a great heretic and rebel began a new religion of the sun. Let’s look at the unique architecture of the Amarna period – and also at the famous tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings. We will also zip forward 1000 years to provide a glimpse of Late Period Temples: Temples of Denderah to the Goddess Hathor and the last surviving temple of Egypt: The Ptolemaic Temple of Philae to the Goddess Isis.

Week 6: The Greatest Wonders of the Late New Kingdom: Karnak Temple, The Tomb of Nefertari – and Abu Simbel

Our finale will include a brief look at Karnak, the greatest temple of Egypt with its magnificent hypostyle hall. Karnak Temple in Luxor is the largest religious structure in the world upon which every king left his mark. Let's experience it - and understand its full glory! We will also look at the beautiful tomb of Nefertari – and the great triumph of Ramses the Great: Abu Simbel at the border of Nubia!

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

In-depth insights into the art and archaeology of Egypt’s most important archaeological sites
An understanding of how Egyptian society functioned, and the way the king asserted his power
Insight into the different ages of Egypt – what was built when, by whom – and for what purpose
The nature of religion and the role of the gods in Ancient Egypt
How Ancient Egypt changed over the millennia – as witnessed by their evolving archaeology sites

Wonders of Egypt: The Great Tombs, Temples and Towns of the Pharaohs