Ancient Egypt Talks: Objects and the afterlife

Join Dr Moya Smith and Dr Alanah Buck as they take you through Ancient Egyptian afterlife and the artefacts that remain. 

From mummification and mortuary practices to the mysteries of museum collections, this special event explores what the Egyptians understood about death and how their beliefs continue to captivate us today.

Death, Decay and Dissection with Dr Alanah Buck, State Forensic Anthropologist.

For the Ancient Egyptians, preparing for the afterlife was an important part of life. Mummification of the corpse was central to the process of preserving the earthly body for its journey to next world and final resurrection. Skilled morticians perfected preservation techniques that have lasted thousands of years, but what did they really understand about the bodies they prepared?

Dr Alanah Buck will examine what the Egyptians knew about human anatomy and death processes and how these insights are reflected in their rituals, art, and mummification practices.

Is it Real? WA Museum Egyptian objects with Dr Moya Smith, WA Museum Curator, Archaeology and Anthropology.

A common question visitors ask when they explore Museum exhibitions about Ancient Egypt is: “Is it real?” But, what do we mean by that—and what would Egyptians themselves have considered 'real'?

Dr Moya Smith will unpack this idea, discussing objects from the WA Museum's collection, including the infamous 'cat mummy'. Drawing on her extensive experience, she will reveal fascinating insights into authenticity, belief and how museum collections shape our understanding of the past.