Ancient Egyptians Workshop

"It was brilliant to be able to welcome Richard in again. This time he actually helped my class perform a mummification ritual - they will NEVER forget this day. Hands-on and delivered with expertise and enthusiasm." Kelly, Gateshead
"'That History Bloke' has provided an amazing start to our history topic of Egyptians. We have used the afternoon to provide a springboard to the childrens learning for the rest of the term. The children were really buzzing about it! I also used the afternoon as a stimulus for a final piece of writing and it produced fantastic results." Ali, Gateshead teacher

That History Bloke is proud to present an activity that your children will remember for years!

How better to teach your class about Egyptian beliefs in the afterlife than by embalming a body for mummification? Neferti is – or rather, was – an Ancient Egyptian priest. Our job will be to prepare him for the afterlife by learning the embalming process. Not just hands-on, but hands-in! As Wetyw (trainee embalmers), we will take out his lungs, intestines, liver and stomach and give them to the 4 sons of Horus. We will learn the significance of different amulets, wrap the body and say prayers taken from ancient walls.

After Neferti has been prepared, your class will have the unique chance to write hieroglyphics using an Ancient Egyptian ink recipe and bamboo or reed pens. They will learn how scribes used papyrus, gum and lampblack to record the names of the dead and will create memorial cartouches to keep and display.

To extend your session to a full-day experience, why not ask That History Bloke to turn from embalmer to archaeologist? Using a large sandpit and replica artefacts, your class can learn how archaeologists dig up and record objects from the ancient desert sands of Egypt. Don’t brush too hard, or the statue will crumble!

This activity has been a smash with every class who have taken part – don’t miss out!