Afterlives of Ancient Egypt
welcome to afterlives Of Ancient Egypt
The afterlives of history echo throughout contemporary society, politics, and culture—we live with them everyday. Join Egyptologist Kara Cooney and her co-host Jordan Galczynski as they discuss ancient Egyptian history and society, the ancient world, current events, and offer a new understanding of the past and how it defines the future. The views expressed in the podcast are those of the co-hosts. Find us wherever you listen to podcasts!
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the conversation doesn’t stop when the podcast mic is turned off!
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latest episodes
episode 55: magic & medicine - sickness and healing in ancient Egypt
Kara and Jordan explore the world of magic & medicine and how illnesses were treated in ancient Egypt. Did the Egyptians distinguish between magic and medicine in efficacy? What illnesses did the Egyptians suffer from? How were they treated? Stay tuned until the end to hear them read from some actual magico-medical papyri!
episode 54: Afterlives book club: Barbara Michaels’ “Search the Shadows”
"Don't bring a mace to a gunfight." In our latest Bookclub installment Jordan and Amber cover another book from Egyptologist/author Barbara Mertz (also known as Barbara Michaels and Elizabeth Peters), "Search the Shadows." Spoiler's ahead!!
episode 53: April Patreon Q&A
Kara and Jordan answer this month’s Patron questions.
episode 52: ancient egypt in the headlines
April 24, 2023
Kara and Jordan cover four Ancient Egypt-themed headlines from the void in the Great Pyramid to the recently restored zodiac at the Temple of Esna.
episode 51: artifact stories - Khufu’s itty, bitty ivory statuette
April 10, 2023
We are producing a new series of episodes for Afterlives of Ancient Egypt called “Artifact Stories,” in which we choose one thing—be it art, artifact, architecture, etc.—and dive into the details in order to see what insights and perspectives we can draw from it. For each of these episodes we will be publishing a companion post on our Substack, Ancient/Now.
In our first spotlight discussion we are featuring an object whose diminutive size belies the significance of the story it tells about the reign of the 4th Dynasty king, Khufu (ca. 2589-2566 BCE), who most people know as the builder of the Great Pyramid of Giza. To see photos of the statuette, visit Ancient/Now.
episode 50: Patron q&A
March 27, 2023
Kara, Jordan, and guest Dr. Jonathan Winnerman answer this month’s Patron questions.
Join our online Patreon community.
episode 49: the rosetta stone and the repatriation debate
March 27, 2023
Kara, Jordan, and guest Dr. Jonathan Winnerman tackle the history of the Rosetta Stone and the debate surrounding calls for its return to Egypt. Why is the Rosetta Stone so important? What its role in national politics and how has it its ownership always been contentious since its initial discovery? Afterlives delves into the history of the piece as well as its connection to colonialism, nationalism, and discussions surrounding who "owns" the past.
Join our online Patreon community.
Want more content about the ancient world? Visit our Substack, Ancient/Now.
episode 48: So you want to travel to Egypt? Part II
March 13, 2023
In Part II of our travel to Egypt suggestions, Kara and Jordan continue their discussion covering what to wear and bring as well as other non-Cairo/Luxor travel recommendations.
Make sure to check out the Substack Companion Post that was released along with the podcast.
episode 47: patron q&a
February 27, 2023
This month's Patreon Q&A is a recording from our Live Zoom event on February 18th. This month's theme was gods and goddesses of ancient Egypt.
Not a Patron? Join here.
episode 46: does kim kardashian have sovereignty? conceptions of globalism in ancient egypt with dr. jonathan winnerman
February 27, 2023
In this week's episode, Kara and Jordan sit down with their friend and colleague Dr Jonathan Winnerman to talk about his work on kingship, sovereignty, and globalism. How did the ancient Egyptian conceptualize of their society and increasing interaction with the 'outside' world? How did they imagine the world around them, and what lessons can we learn in our increasingly changing world society?
About Our Guest
Jonathan Winnerman is currently Academic Administrator for Ancient Studies at UCLA. He first joined the UCLA community as a lecturer in Egyptology after completing his PhD at the University of Chicago in the department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations in 2018. His research focuses on kingship, divinity, and the purpose of sovereignty, topics which encourage reflection on our own social, religious, and political structures. In his administrative capacity, he organizes and assists faculty with the writing of grant proposals and works closely with the Global Antiquity Initiative, a program which advocates viewing the ancient world as a single connected expanse where no community is considered peripheral.
Episode 45: So You Want to Travel to Egypt?
February 13, 2023
In this week's episode (Part I of II) Kara and Jordan discuss traveling to Egypt and share their travel tips and tricks. Where to stay? What to see? And what to eat? Don't you want to book a trip immediately?!
Make sure to check the Substack Companion Post with extra information and links to all the places mentioned in this episode.
episode 44: patron q&A
January 30, 2023
In this month's Patron questions, we cover more questions on Amarna family genetics, ancient music and instruments, how the god Amun-Re worked, and many more. Thank you, Patrons, for the thoughtful questions and generous support!
episode 43: Ramesside Papyri and Persian Egypt with Dr. Marissa Stevens
January 23, 2023
In this episode, Kara and Jordan sit down with their friend and colleague Dr. Marissa Stevens. They discuss Marissa's earlier work on Ramesside papyrus, personal piety, and identity. Next, they pivot to Marissa's current work as the Assistant Director of the Pourdavoud Center for the Study of the Iranian world, looking at the time when Egypt was under Persian control.
Check out Marissa's Academia page for all of her publications.
episode 42: patron q&a
December 12, 2022
In this month's Q&A, we cover the rest of the Tut-focused questions as well as some others from the Patrons looking at career choice, Indiana Jones, and much more.
episode 41: Power and Politics in the Egyptian Harem
December 12, 2022
In this episode, Kara and Jordan cover the ancient Egyptian harem. They discuss a myriad of topics from the use of the term itself to the associated economies like textile production and, of course, the harem conspiracy. If you remember we previously released a harem episode but the quality was poor--we hope this new episode is all the better!
episode 40: "Metal from the Sky" — Interview with Dr. Victoria Alamansa-Villatoro
December 5, 2022
In this week's episode, Kara and Jordan interview Dr. Victoria Almansa-Villatoro about her path into academia, her research interests on the Egyptian language, and a deeper dive into one of her publications, "The Cultural Indexicality of the N41 Sign for bj3: The Metal of the Sky and the Sky of Metal" (2020). How did the Egyptians conceptualize the earth/sky divide? What was the relationship between birth, afterlife, and iron? And what about Tut's meteoritic iron dagger!?
About Our Guest
Victoria Almansa-Villatoro obtained her Ph.D. in Egyptology at Brown University in 2022. She is an incoming Junior Research Fellow at the Harvard Society of Fellows (2022-2025) and specializes in the use of language and hieroglyphs' iconicity to understand oral knowledge and ideology in Old Kingdom Egypt. Since 2019 she is a member of the AERA archaeological project in Giza, and assistant director to the Royal Necropolis and Pyramids of Nuri Expedition since 2021.
episode 39 Book Club - Amelia Peabody #1: “Crocodile and the Sandbank” by Elizabeth Peters
November 21, 2022
In our first Book Club episode Kara, Jordan, and Amber discuss Elizabeth Peters’ first Amelia Peabody novel, "Crocodile on the Sandbank."
Don't miss our Substack companion post for this episode.
episode 38: live tutankhamun patron Q&A
November 21, 2022
On November 11th we had our last live zoom event of the year with Patrons—a Tutankhamun-themed Q&A episode in honor of the centennial of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922.
episode 37: Tomb robbery in ancient egypt
November 7, 2022
In this episode Kara and Jordan discuss tomb robbery in ancient Egypt. did the ancient Egyptians booby trap tombs to protect them against grave robbers? Was tomb robbery always considered a crime in Ancient Egypt? What punishments did tomb robbers suffer if they were caught?
episode 36: Patron Q&A
October 24, 2022
In this month’s Patron Q&A Kara and Jordan answer questions ranging from their favorite Egyptian tale (and the most difficult ones to understand) to temple orientation and ancient Egyptian atheism.
episode 35: Body shaming in ancient egypt
October 10, 2022
And we’re back with our first episode of Season 3! Kara and Jordan tackle the topic of body shaming (and positivity) in Ancient Egypt. What were the “ideal” body types? How were people viewed who were outside those norms? What were their thoughts on aging, disability, thinness, sickness, etc.? How do these differ from a modern Western ideal and what can we learn from the ancient Egyptians?
episode 34: patron q&A
September 12, 2022
In this month's Patreon Q&A, Kara and Jordan discuss how the Egyptian's relaxed in their free-time, the effect Alexander the Great had on Egyptian culture, what life was like for the occupied under the Egyptian empire, and we give our recommendations on how to study hieroglyphs.
episode 33: transitioning in Alt-ac with dr. eric wells
August 29, 2022
In Part 2 of Eric’s episode, we talk all things alt-ac—his academic story, his transition from dissertation writing to the university administration, and his advice to others looking at a similar path. Kara and Jordan picked Eric’s brain about using your PhD to succeed in the “real” world.
Dr. Eric Wells (he/him) received his PhD from UCLA in Egyptology and is currently an adjunct professor at LMU in the Department of Classics and Archaeology. He is also a chief administrative officer at UCLA for the Life Sciences Core Education Department and the Center for Education Innovation and Learning in the Sciences. You can check out his dissertation on votive stela from Asyut here.
Relisten to Eric's Guide to Ancient Egypt.
episode 34: personal piety with dr. eric wells
August 22, 2022
In this week's episode Kara and Jordan interview Dr. Eric Wells of Eric's Guide to Ancient Egypt fame. We address the elephant in the room--whether of not Eric has plans to restart his podcast, his dissertation research on personal piety, and get into some Egyptological debates.
Dr. Eric Wells (he/him) received his PhD from UCLA in Egyptology and is currently an adjunct professor at LMU in the Department of Classics and Archaeology. He is also a chief administrative officer at UCLA for the Life Sciences Core Education Department and the Center for Education Innovation and Learning in the Sciences. You can check out his dissertation on votive stela from Asyut here.
Relisten to Eric's Guide to Ancient Egypt.
episode 31: August Q&A
August 15, 2022
CW// alcohol, adult themes, violence and assault
Kara and Jordan answer this month’s Patreon questions covering topics from alcohol use and drunkenness to leisure and play to sex workers as well as allergies and health.
episode 30: God’s wives of amun
August 1, 2022
CW// sexual abuse
In this episode Kara and Jordan discuss the God’s Wife of Amun position and their relationship to Egyptian politics at the time. Who held this position? What responsibilities came with it? What powers were instilled in the office?
show notes
episode 29: patron q&a
July 25, 2022
Kara and Jordan answer the Patron’s questions from the month of July spanning from queen’s ruling in the temporary absence of the king; evidence for mental illness; managing reading for work versus pleasure; and much more!
episode 28: environment and geography in ancient egypt, part ii
July 14, 2022
In part II, Kara and Jordan discuss evidence for climatic events in the ancient past, how Egyptian culture was affected, and occasions where the Egyptians negatively affected their environment, as well.
show notes
episode 27: environment and geography in ancient egypt
June 27, 2022
In part one of this two-part episode, Kara and Jordan tackle the topic of environment and geography. Inspired by the tumult our planet is facing with human-induced climate change, we look at how the Egyptians were impacted and influenced by their environment. What was the Egyptian landscape like in the past? How do we see this reflected in their ideology?
show notes
episode 26: patron q&a
June 20, 2022
It's our first Patreon Q&A!! Each month patrons of the podcast will submit questions via the Discord server or the Patreon app and we'll answer them. This episode covers questions ranging from the roots of Christianity in ancient Egyptian religion, travel to Egypt, to the new coffin cache found in Saqqara. If you would like to join our Patreon community, click here.
episode 25: family and kinship in ancient egypt, part II
June 6, 2022
In part two, Kara and Jordan focus on early childhood and infant mortality, marriage customs, intergenerational wealth, and incest. You can check out Amber’s companion post to this episode on the Afterlives After Party Substack. Enjoy!
show notes
episode 24: family and kinship in ancient egypt
May 23, 2022
From the cradle to the tomb, Kara and Jordan explore families and kinship in ancient Egypt in this episode. What do we know about childhood, marriage, divorce, and how family bonds were formed? Are we unique in our modern desire to understand our family origins and genealogy?
show notes
episode 23: Ancient egypt & hollywood
May 9, 2022
In this week's episode Kara and Jordan look at ancient Egypt in Hollywood. How accurate are Hollywood depictions of the ancient world? Should we even care? How are "bad" representations harmful? Kara and Jordan dive deep into the top three offenders: orientalist, the portrayal of women, and race. Of course, they also discuss their favorite movie, The Mummy (1999), and their love of Brendan Fraser ("Call us!").
show notes
episode 22: top 5 debates in egyptology, part II
April 25, 2022
In the second part of our discussion digging into Egyptological debates, we focus on three burning questions related to the Amarna Period: Did Akhenaten invent monotheism? Who was the infamous Smenkhare? And what’s up with Tut’s tomb? Enjoy the debate!
show notes
episode 21: top 5 debates in egyptology
April 11, 2022
In this episode Kara and Jordan dig into Egyptological debates: How were the pyramids built and who built them? Did Akhenaten invent monotheism? Who is the infamous Smenkhare? We chose our top five questions to discuss and debate! Who do you agree with?
show notes
episode 20: academic-adjacent careers with amber, part II
March 28, 2022
In Part II of our guest interview with Amber, the-wind-beneath-Kara’s-wings, we continue our conversation about academic adjacent careers. we talk about the ever-changing academic climate, the emotional toil of “leaving” the field, and work-life balance. Remember to listen to Part I first!
show notes
episode 19: academic-adjacent careers with amber
March 14, 2022
Amber steps out from behind-the-scenes this episode as our second guest for the season. We are talking all things academic-adjacent, sometimes also referred to as alt-ac. These are career paths that many of us take post graduate work that are not the traditional route, i.e. becoming a professor. Stay tunes to hear Amber’s story from a young girl in the Midwest with an interest in ancient history, to her Master’s program in Egyptology at UCLA, museum work, and her many twists and turns since then.
show notes
episode 18: sex, gender, and love in ancient egypt (Part 2)
February 28, 2022
CW// adult content
In the second part of our Valentine’s Day themed episode, Kara and Jordan delve farther into the “sexy” creation myths, gender-bending in coffins, other examples of homosexual relationships (no the Tomb of the Two Brothers does not represent conjoined twins!), and lastly some reading of “love” poetry (“she’s a brick house”). Enjoy!!
show notes
episode 17: Sex, gender, and love in ancient egypt (part 1)
February 14, 2022
CW// adult content
For the month of February we have two love, sex, and gender focused episodes for everyone. In Part 1, Kara and Jordan explore how the Egyptians defined sex and gender; what were the gender norms; where we can see gender queer or intersex individuals; and what role ‘love’ played. Lastly, we end on the sexy creation myth stories—how Atum created the world (hint- it’s NSFW) and the key role of Isis in the Osiris myth.
show notes
episode 16: human sacrifice in early dynastic egypt with Dr. rose campbell (part 2)
January 31, 2022
CW// human remains; violence
In Part 2 of our very first guest interview, we conclude our discussion on human sacrifice in ancient Egypt with UCLA’s own Dr. Rose Campbell. We talk more with her about her research on human sacrifice, how she is helping to advance the study of cancer in antiquity, and why the practice of human sacrifice in ancient Egypt did not last. Enjoy Part 2 of a fantastic conversation!
More about Dr. Campbell:
Dr. Roselyn A. Campbell is a bioarchaeologist, anthropological archaeologist, and Egyptologist. Her current research is concerned with evidence for violence and trauma in human remains, and understanding how human societies define, use, and sanction violence as a tool of power. She also researches the history and evolution of cancer in ancient human remains. She earned a Ph.D. in Archaeology from the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at the University of California, Los Angeles, and a B.A. and an M.A. in anthropological archaeology and forensic anthropology at the University of Montana. Dr. Campbell has conducted archaeological fieldwork in Egypt, Peru, Ethiopia, Spain, and the western United States. She is currently the Head Osteologist for the Polish-Egyptian Mission at the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, and for the North Asasif Project.
https://www.roselynacampbell.com/
https://getty.academia.edu/RoselynCampbell/
https://www.cancerantiquity.org/
show notes
episode 15: human sacrifice in early dynastic egypt with dr. rose campbell (part 1)
January 17, 2022
CW// human remains; violence
In our very first guest interview, we have UCLA’s own Dr. Rose Campbell in to talk about how she became a bioarchaeologist and her work on human sacrifice in early dynastic Egypt. What evidence do we have for this practice? How are we to understand violence in the past?
More about Dr. Campbell:
Dr. Roselyn A. Campbell is a bioarchaeologist, anthropological archaeologist, and Egyptologist. Her current research is concerned with evidence for violence and trauma in human remains, and understanding how human societies define, use, and sanction violence as a tool of power. She also researches the history and evolution of cancer in ancient human remains. She earned a Ph.D. in Archaeology from the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at the University of California, Los Angeles, and a B.A. and an M.A. in anthropological archaeology and forensic anthropology at the University of Montana. Dr. Campbell has conducted archaeological fieldwork in Egypt, Peru, Ethiopia, Spain, and the western United States. She is currently the Head Osteologist for the Polish-Egyptian Mission at the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, and for the North Asasif Project.
https://www.roselynacampbell.com/
https://getty.academia.edu/RoselynCampbell/
https://www.cancerantiquity.org/
SHOW NOTES
Episode 14: Egypt and the bronze age collapse
January 3, 2022
In this listener-suggested episode, Kara and Jordan talk everything Bronze Age Collapse. How are we to understand this so-termed collapse and what were its causes? How can we muddy the typical narrative? What are our sources? And of course—what role did the Egyptians play at the end of the Bronze Age?
Show notes
episode 13: Crash course - a leader’s power and trickle down economics
December 6, 2021
In this Crash Course episode, Kara and Jordan discuss Kara’s earlier exploration of the relationship between success of a leader and the economy. How are monuments used to interpret the legacy of a leader? How do economic systems uphold inequalities? All of these questions and more will be discussed using examples from the ancient world and today.
show notes
episode 12: demystifying academia, Part 3
November 29, 2021
In the last installment of demystifying academia, Kara and Jordan cover a variety of topics from defending the dissertation, the horrors of the academic job market (!), to landing a position and Kara’s experience as chair of a department. Oh, and there might be tequila shots as well…this stuff is stressful. We hope you enjoy!
show notes
Episode 11: CRASh course - religious roots of authoritatrianism
November 22, 2021
In this “crash course” episode, Jordan and Kara discuss one of Kara’s earlier recordings on the religious roots of authoritarian regimes. How did leaders in the past (and today) use religious ideology to support their reigns? Many of these ideas are discussed in more detail in my new book, The Good Kings: Absolute Power in Ancient Egypt and the Modern World.
show notes
feed swap: The ozymandias project - Ancient office hours
November 17, 2021
We are doing a one-episode feed swap with The Ozymandias Project: Ancient Office Hours podcast. Check out Kara’s episode where Lexi and Kara explore a myriad of topics from Kara’s research on coffin reuse to her new book, The Good Kings. Have a listen and we hope you enjoy it! If you want more ancient history themed episodes, like and follow The Ozymandias Project: Ancient Office Hours wherever you listen to podcasts!
show notes
episode 10: The Good kings: absolute power in ancient egypt and the modern world
November 15, 2021
In this episode Kara and Jordan discuss Kara’s new book, The Good Kings: Absolute Power in Ancient Egypt and the Modern World. They look at the kings covered - Khufu, Senwosret III, Akhenaten, Ramses II, and Taharqa - and how these kings’ reigns can help us understand modern authoritarian regimes. Hope you enjoy and if you want to know more The Good Kings is available wherever books are sold!
show notes
Episode 09: Crash course - Sickness and death in ancient egypt
November 8, 2021
In this “crash course” episode, Kara and Jordan discuss one of Kara’s earlier recordings on the prevalence (and constancy) of sickness and death in ancient Egypt. How many men would usually die while out on an expedition for mineral resources? What was it like living with a body full of parasites and bacterial infections? What can we learn from the ancient world as we go through a pandemic ourselves?
show notes
episode 08: the writing process
November 1, 2021
This week Kara and Jordan discuss The Good Kings: Absolute Power in Ancient Egypt and the Modern World--hitting bookstores everywhere tomorrow!--and Kara's writing process for her popular books.
show notes
Episode 07: True Crime - ancient egypt Edition
October 25, 2021
In our second Halloween-themed episode, Kara nd Jordan take on the topic of true crime in homage to Jordan’s favorite true crime podcasts: Morbid, Chrime Junkies, and The Murder Squad. Have you ever wondered if there were serial killers in the ancient world? What examples do we have from ancient Egypt? Who is the infamous Paneb and how did he get away with so many violent crimes? And what about palace intrigue and royal assassination?
show notes
Episode 06: ghosts, spirits, and all things spooky
October 18, 2021
In part one of our Halloween special, Kara and Jordan delve into all things “spooky.” Did the ancient Egyptians believe in ghosts? How did the living and the dead interact? What happened to you when you died? Did they have a concept of the soul?
show notes
Episode 05: Crash course - The Village of deir el medina
October 11, 2021
Ever wonder how scholars work with ancient hieroglyphic texts? Well, here are a few impressions about what it’s like to work with textual data from the workmen’s village of Deir el Medina.
show notes
episode 04: Demystifying Academia, Part 2
October 4, 2021
Ever wonder what life as a graduate student is like or what a dissertation is? Kara and Jordan discuss what the graduate student experience is like, graduate student funding, comprehensive exams, and the dissertation process.
show notes
EPISODE 03: Demystifying academia, Part 1
September 27, 2021
Want to know what grad school and academia in the Humanities are really about? How do you get in to a funded program? What about a master’s program? What is life like as a grad student? As a professor? Jordan and Kara (try to) demystify the academic experience in Part 1 of a two part podcast.
SHOW NOTES
Episode 02: Divine Economic Right
September 20, 2021
Money 💰 rules. We often value wealth so much that we believe rich people to be touched by god, or fate, or whatever you believe in, to rule over us, that we must sacrifice ourselves (and our health) for the good of the economy, as if it were a religion. If economies failed during a king’s reign or a president’s tenure, then it must be his fault, divinely willed, in a sense. This week’s Afterlives podcast includes Kara and Jordan re-contextualizing a live recording during the darkest days of the 2020 pandemic.
Show NOtes
EPISODE 01: Coffin commerce
September 13, 2021
Why in the world would anyone study coffins? What can you learn from coffins? In our first episode, I offer insight into a new little book I wrote called Coffin Commerce.
