Join me, Gillian Hovell, 'The Muddy Archaeologist', for a course
that will bring Greek vases vibrantly to life
and transform for ever the way you see Greek vases.

Discover how to really enjoy a gallery of Greek vases:
See the real lives behind the images - celebrations, parties, loss and love;
Learn to thrill to the prize amphora, the wondrous celebratory joy of the variations of wine mixing jars, the beautiful pouring jugs, and the plethora of party-time drinking cups. Jars for ritual oils, storage of cosmetics and trinkets, and themed plates for food are all here too.

Join me and see how truly remarkable the art and skills of vase painters were. 

This course is sumptuously illustrated with truly beautiful images that capture the shapes and details and stories of the rich wealth of Greek vases.


740-730 BC Geometric Swan Pitcher, Cleveland Museum open access

  • Follow the story of the evolution of Greek vases, from a glimpse at the prehistoric Minoan and Mycenaean pottery, to the rebirth of artistic terracotta vases in the Geometic Age.  Then wallow in the main part of the course: from the Corinthian style leaders to the success of Athenian black figure and red figure vases.


  • Look closer at the wide variety of shapes of the vases and learn to identify the special uses each shape was made for.  It's never just a vase, it's a very special vase for a particular purpose and social moment in  life in a very particular society and time. 


  • Then explore the themes that decorated the pots.  Sometimes they remind us what special occasion the pot was made for, sometimes theyc.510 BC Kylix. Metropolitan Museum open access celebrate youth, myths, gods, drama ... join me and discover how to easily spot the themes and to revel in the variety - how many can YOU spot in any one gallery ...?


  • Spot the inscriptions - signatures, character names and even nonsense - that decorate some pots.


  • Neck amphora c.500 BC Metropolitan Museum open access, recoloured by Gillian Hovell.  Kiln (c) Gillian HovellDiscover how these remarkable pots were made and painted.



This course has been passionately and expertly created to open up the world of Greek vases to everyone.  This course is for YOU ...

-  Whether you are a professor or a Time Team fan, a student or a complete novice, an archaeologist or ancient history expert, or  studying for general interest and personal fascination ...c.500 BC Hydria, Metropolitan Museum open access

-  Whether you frequently enjoy museums or if you hardly step into them ...

-  If you want to transform your experience of museum galleries, of life in Ancient Greece and of Greek art  ...

- To add a refreshingly practical dimension to your exploration into the ancient world.


What will you learn?

-   Explore the story of the development of Greek vases through the ages.450 BC Lekythos Metropolitan Museum open access

-  Discover the glorious echo of life in the vase paintings.

-  What to look for in Greek vases: shapes, images, themes, inscriptions ...

-  How to appreciate the awesome creativity and variety of Greek vases.

-  Enjoy a sense of place and time as we capture the essence and atmosphere of  the Greek world and the lives that these vases were made for.


What will you get?

-   Watch the richly illustrated lectures. Rewatch as many times as you like, rewind, fast forward, pause ... 

-  Take the course at your own pace.  There is no start date nor cut off date.  You can repeat the course as often as you like.

-  Download the printable colourful maps and illustrated notes.

- Enjoy the enlightening and entertaining consolidating quizzes after every session

- The Muddy Archaeologist is here for you, contactable for any queries or support you may need.

-  By signing up you also receive access to the monthly LIVE online evening sessions with Gillian, the Muddy Archaeologist.  We chat, you can ask questions and we explore in a presentation the latest archaeological discoveries from around the world before sharing a fun second half (an illustrated quiz or a virtual tour of a fabulous ancient site ...).

You'll be seeing the ancient world in a whole new, fresh way.


Great Value  for a course that will share and enable a true joy of remarkable ancient vases!   It will change for ever the way you see Greek vases!    

 

Price - Great Value!

Course curriculum

Join 'The Muddy Archaeologist' on a journey
into the ancient Greek World.
Take a fresh look at the Greek Vases and discover an ancient way of life that is brought to life through the distinctive multitude of vases, jugs and ceramic art

Ancient Art - Ancient Greece - Archaeology

What's included?
Five lively and engaging, richly illustrated talks, with illustrated downloadable and printable notes and maps, and dynamic quizzes for each session.

(Course details below for info only (not clickable access)

  • 1

    The Muddy Archaeologist's Guide to Greek Vases

    • Video Welcome from 'The Muddy Archaeologist' to Greek Vases

    • About Gillian Hovell, 'The Muddy Archaeologist' (in case you missed it on the course information page)

    • How to Use this course (video by The Muddy Archaeologist)
  • 2

    Introductory Timeline: How Greek Vases Developed

    • Illustrated Lecture: Introductory Timeline - How Greek Vases Developed

    • Downloadable Notes: Introductory Timeline - How Greek Vases Developed

    • Downloadable map: Introductory Timeline - How Greek Vases Developed. The Aegean

    • Downloadable map: Introductory Timeline - How Greek Vases Developed. Etruria, S Italy & Sicily

    • Test and consolidate what you've discovered : Introductory Timeline - How Greek Vases Developed

    • List of Illustrations : Introductory Timeline: -How Greek Vases Developed
  • 3

    Shapes & Uses of Vases

    • Illustrated Lecture: Shapes of Vases

    • Downloadable Notes: Greek Vases Glossary

    • Downloadable Notes: Shapes and Uses of Greek Vases

    • Test and consolidate what you've discovered : Greek Vases Shapes

    • List of Illustrations : Greek Vases Shapes
  • 4

    Themes on Vases

    • Illustrated Lecture: Themes

    • Downloadable Notes: Greek Vases Themes

    • Test and consolidate what you've discovered : Greek Vases Themes

    • List of Illustrations : Greek Vases Themes
  • 5

    Texts on Vases

    • Illustrated Lecture: Texts on Vases

    • Downloadable Notes: Texts on Vases

    • Downloadable Notes: The Greek Alphabet

    • Test and consolidate what you've discovered : Texts on Vases

    • List of Illustrations : Texts on Vases
  • 6

    How Greek Vases were Made

    • Illustrated Lecture: How Greek Vases were Made

    • Downloadable Notes: How Greek Vases were Made

    • Test and consolidate what you've discovered : How Greek Vases were Made

    • List of Illustrations : How Greek Vases were Made
  • 7

    Wrapping Up

    • MUDDY ARCHAEOLOGIST COURSES THAT COMPLEMENT your The Muddy Archaeologist's Guide to Greek Vases course

    • Final Words from The Muddy Archaeologist

This is your chance to get to grips with all those Greek vases. Discover how to identify all the different types of vases, and explore the ancient world they belonged in.

Join Gillian and be guided by an expert in the ancient world, an arcbringing the ancient world to life with you!

Buy NOW!
Just £105
for a course that will change your view for ever!

Don't just take my word for it!

Infectious Enthusiasm

Course student

'Gillian’s infectious enthusiasm, impressive knowledge of the ancient world and ability to present her subject in a relatable way make learning thoroughly enjoyable.'

Could not have been better in any way

Course student

What did you particularly enjoy about the course? ‘Every single minute of it.  Could not have been better in any way.  Thank you so much.’

Gillian brings learning to life

Course student

Gillian brings learning to life in a way that inspires future interest

Learned more in one hour

Public Talk attendee

Learned more in one hour than I've understood in 20 years

Phenomenal

Classical Association vote of thanks

Phenomenal. Truly inspirational - it reminds us what we're here for

This was one of the best!

Student

'I've done a lot of courses over the last 5-6 years and this was one of the best!   I had little previous knowledge of the topic but found this to be illuminating.  It was very clearly presented and the timeline stream of development was particularly well done.'

Gillian Hovell BA(Hons) 'The Muddy Archaeologist'

Hi, I'm Gillian Hovell, known professionally as 'The Muddy Archaeologist'.
Welcome to this thrilling series of richly illustrated talks, handouts, maps and quizzes on the remarkable art of ancient Greek Vases.

If you're looking to find out more about the astonishing vases of Ancient Greece, then you're in the right place!
For I present lively, passionate and engaging ancient history and archaeology that connects with our lives today and which bring the past vividly to life.

My life is spent lecturing nationally and internationally, and on tours and cruises of ancient sites from Orkney's Neolithic to the diverse cultures of the Ancient Mediterranean - some of you will know me from our travels in the UK and throughout the Mediterranean. I lecture on tours for ACE Cultural Tours, the Smithsonian Journeys, Australians Studying Abroad (ASA) and many other UK and international companies. You may have heard me on local and national radio and television too.

And I love it. My joy is to transform your experience of the ancient world into the joy of understanding the artefacts so that you thrill to what they reveal about the lives of those who created them.
I help you to connect with the civilization, discover and share our common humanity with it and enjoy and appreciate the diversity, individuality and richness of each and every culture. For I am passionate about revealing how archaeological finds and history are full of human life and passion. I love sharing the joy of ancient history in person, in books and articles, on the media and on line. I'm a prize-winning author and my next book will vividly bring to live the archaeology of the distinctive ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean .

After graduating in Latin and Ancient History from Exeter University, I worked in BBC Television and went on to become an award-winning freelance writer, author.
I have led a community archaeology project in Yorkshire and I have excavated at major sites in the UK and Europe .

I now lecture at York University and have spoken many times about Greek vases at the British Museum. I share courses around the country and lecture throughout the UK and abroad for audiences that range from local societies and luncheon clubs to Classical Associations, The Arts Society, and international groups. Every event is tailored to YOU, whoever and wherever you are.
I offer you expertise, passion and a warm welcome.
Archaeology is for everyone: let me lead you on a journey into the past with knowledge, great images, and a sense of fun and enjoyment.

Adding colour and depth to our lives today by digging deep into the past.

BOOK NOW to join me to celebrate the beauty of Greek Vases and the cultures behind them.

For more than just online courses visit

www.muddyarchaeologist.co.uk