In this seminar, Egyptologist Bob Brier takes you on an illustrated tour of many lesser-known sites of ancient Egypt and shares their history, beauty, and culture. From an Egyptian temple in the Sinai where sleep chambers were built for miners to dream where to dig for precious turquoise and copper to one of the wonders of the ancient world, these sites are off the beaten path but historically significant.

10 to 11 a.m. Serabit el Khadem

The site of Hathor’s temple (12th Dynasty), the only Egyptian temple in the Sinai; site of enormous turquoise mines; site of earliest alphabetic inscriptions.

11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tel el Amarna

Containing unique tomb decorations unequalled anywhere else in Egypt, this is the holy city built for Pharoah Akhenaten and Queen Nefertiti. Akhenaten revolutionized religion by worshipping only one god: Aten.

12:30 to 1:45 p.m. Lunch

Participants provide their own lunch.

1:45 to 2:45 p.m. Tanis

Northern capital of the 21st dynasty; site of spectacular intact royal tombs complete with gold and silver coffins.

3 to 4 p.m. Fayoum Oasis

Middle Kingdom pyramids; Amenemhet III’s labyrinthine pyramid, considered one of the great wonders of the ancient world.

Brier is a senior research fellow at the C. W. Post campus of Long Island University and has hosted and contributed to numerous documentaries, including Unlocking the Great Pyramid and The Great Egyptians.