There’s heka in the air: magic in ancient Egypt
Thursday evenings, 6-7:30pm (UK Time), 27 February-27 March 2025 plus recordings!
Heka (magic) appeared in all parts of ancient Egyptian life. It was wielded by gods and priests, enhanced by prayers to deities and was central to medicine and justice. Magic was also crucial for securing a place in the afterlife. Heka was a fundamental power, but one which is often overlooked today, even by Egyptologists. After the ancient gods were abandoned, the beliefs and symbols associated with heka retained their power, leaving a legacy of Egyptian magic that continues across modern cultures.
This course will follow the use and evolution of the understanding of heka from the Pyramid Texts (c. 2400 BCE) through the history of ancient Egypt, and trace its remains through Europe and into the modern day. Participants will learn how heka was perceived by gods and humans, encounter both the real and imagined ‘magicians’ of the past, and unravel the rules and techniques for magical practice. Delving into mythology, texts, archaeology, and religion, we will explore heka through a number of ancient objects including books of magic, apotropaic wands, amulets, and healing statues.
Find out more: https:\/\/bit.ly\/42zZAHI
This course assumes some basic knowledge of pharaonic Egypt, including an understanding of ancient Egyptian history and geography. The course will be of interest to those who enjoy Egyptian history, art and material culture, looking to gain further knowledge on this particular topic.
Book your place: https:\/\/bit.ly\/42zZAHI
Tutor: Dr Kelly Accetta Crowe holds a Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology and Art History from the University of Virginia, a Master of Philosophy in Egyptology from the University of Cambridge, and a PhD in Archaeology, also from the University of Cambridge. In the field, Kelly has worked with the Middle Kingdom Theban Project, the Amarna Project, the New Kingdom Research Foundation, and the Deep History of the Asyut Region project (British Museum). Kelly currently works at the British Museum, where she was the project curator for the 2022-2023 “Hieroglyphs: unlocking ancient Egypt” exhibition and is currently developing Egyptian touring exhibitions, including one on Egyptian magic
Heka (magic) appeared in all parts of ancient Egyptian life. It was wielded by gods and priests, enhanced by prayers to deities and was central to medicine and justice. Magic was also crucial for securing a place in the afterlife. Heka was a fundamental power, but one which is often overlooked today, even by Egyptologists. After the ancient gods were abandoned, the beliefs and symbols associated with heka retained their power, leaving a legacy of Egyptian magic that continues across modern cultures.
This course will follow the use and evolution of the understanding of heka from the Pyramid Texts (c. 2400 BCE) through the history of ancient Egypt, and trace its remains through Europe and into the modern day. Participants will learn how heka was perceived by gods and humans, encounter both the real and imagined ‘magicians’ of the past, and unravel the rules and techniques for magical practice. Delving into mythology, texts, archaeology, and religion, we will explore heka through a number of ancient objects including books of magic, apotropaic wands, amulets, and healing statues.
Find out more: https:\/\/bit.ly\/42zZAHI
This course assumes some basic knowledge of pharaonic Egypt, including an understanding of ancient Egyptian history and geography. The course will be of interest to those who enjoy Egyptian history, art and material culture, looking to gain further knowledge on this particular topic.
Book your place: https:\/\/bit.ly\/42zZAHI
Tutor: Dr Kelly Accetta Crowe holds a Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology and Art History from the University of Virginia, a Master of Philosophy in Egyptology from the University of Cambridge, and a PhD in Archaeology, also from the University of Cambridge. In the field, Kelly has worked with the Middle Kingdom Theban Project, the Amarna Project, the New Kingdom Research Foundation, and the Deep History of the Asyut Region project (British Museum). Kelly currently works at the British Museum, where she was the project curator for the 2022-2023 “Hieroglyphs: unlocking ancient Egypt” exhibition and is currently developing Egyptian touring exhibitions, including one on Egyptian magic
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