Dr. Salima Ikram, acclaimed Egyptologist, distinguished university professor, and AUC Press author, gave a virtual talk on June 8 about ‘Death, Mummification, and Burials in Ancient Egypt.’
She talked about how the ancient Egyptians enjoyed life and believed that death was but a gateway to an eternal existence—”much like this one, except better”—which is why “they lavished care, time, and expense on the preparation and preservation of their bodies and tombs, replete with objects that they would need for the afterlife.” Dr. Ikram explored the Egyptian ideas of death and the preparation for the afterlife. Here are two excerpts of her talk.
Salima Ikram is the author of numerous books including Death and Burial in Ancient Egypt (AUC Press, 2015) and Divine Creatures: Animal Mummies in Ancient Egypt (AUC Press, paperback edition, 2015). She has worked as an archaeologist in Turkey, Sudan, Greece, and the United States. After double-majoring in history and classical and near eastern archaeology at Bryn Mawr College, the United States, she received her MPhil in museology and Egyptian archaeology and PhD in Egyptian archaeology from the University of Cambridge. She previously directed the Animal Mummy Project, the North Kharga Darb Ain Amur Survey, and Valley of the Kings KV10/KV63 Mission, and co-directed the Predynastic Gallery Project and the North Kharga Oasis Survey. She has also participated in several other archaeological missions throughout Egypt. She has lectured on her work internationally and publishes in both scholarly and popular journals. She also has an active media presence.
