How do we 'read' objects and images from cultures that lived thousands of years ago? What methods can we use to enhance our appreciation and understanding of ancient artefacts? With knowledge and understanding increasing with every new discovery, where does this leave Prehistory? These and other commonly asked questions will be answered in this course, which provides an historical, cultural and theoretical study of the Ancient world through examining a variety of objects and images. This will include presentation of a range of thematic studies that examine the arts of the Ancient world including the role of jewellery, body ornament and clothing towards defining gender, status and wealth. A cultural decoding of the symbolic messages contained within ancient ornament and decoration will be presented from a variety of perspectives. The culture of death (including burials, rituals and ceremonies) and the artefacts associated with this, will be examined. The course will also include a discussion of a variety of objects and images that portray the history of theatre, sport and other forms of entertainment.