The Power of Hieroglyphs

About Dr. Colleen Darnell

A Yale-trained Egyptologist, Dr. Colleen Darnell has traveled the world researching hieroglyphic inscriptions. She led an archaeological expedition in Egypt that discovered a fifteen-hundred year old Roman settlement in the Eastern Desert, and with her husband, Professor John Darnell, published the first complete English translation of the texts in the Valley of the Kings. Dr. Darnell was the first to identify works of historical fiction written by the ancient Egyptians themselves. Colleen and her husband Professor John Darnell have been hard at work on an exciting new biography of Akhenaten and Nefertiti, the parents of King Tut, entitled Egypt's Golden Couple: When Akhenaten and Nefertiti Were Gods on Earth, published November 1, 2022 by St Martin's Press. She shares her passion for Egyptology with “kids” of all ages.

About the class

Join Dr. Darnell on an extraordinary journey into the world of ancient Egyptian communication and art. In 2017, she was part of the groundbreaking team that discovered and recorded the world’s first billboard—two-foot high hieroglyphs that, at over five thousand years old, spoke volumes about the king’s power. In this engaging class, you’ll explore how these monumental carvings not only conveyed authority but also served as early forms of public messaging. Dr. Darnell will guide you through the mysterious hieroglyphs found in the Valley of the Kings, unraveling their secrets and significance. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or a curious learner, this class offers a captivating look at the rich legacy of ancient Egypt and the timeless art of storytelling.