A SOUTHAMPTON student is helping bring ancient civilisations back to life through playing video games.

University of Southampton’s, Gemma Renshaw, who is studying for her Archaeology PhD, will be hosting a series of free, expert talks on ancient Egypt in her project, “Playing in the Past”.

The talks will explore digitally recreated worlds using the action-adventure game, Assassin’s Creed Origins.

Gemma is hosting three talks over the next three months to resurrect ancient Egyptian life in cities such as Thebes (modern-day Luxor), and give viewers the chance to discuss these re-creations with Egyptologists, archaeologists and historians.

Gemma, said: “Video games are all about immersing yourself in new worlds but through this series we’re going to immerse ourselves in old ones.

“We can explore places that don’t even exist anymore, alongside experts who’ve dedicated their lives to the study of this incredible ancient civilisation.”

The broadcasts are covering a range of topics from Ptolemaic Thebes, death and the afterlife, to ancient craft and tech, culminating in a discussion about gaming representations of ancient worlds.

Each hour-long broadcast will feature talks from an expert, an in-game tour and the opportunity to ask any questions.

The first broadcast takes place at 3pm on February 4, where Gemma will be joined by Egyptologist and broadcaster Dr Chris Naunton and historian Dr Kate Sheppard.

Dr Naunton, said: “I am far from a gamer but after Gemma took me on a tour of ancient Alexandria through Assassin’s Creed Origins, I was so gripped by the experience I went out and bought an Xbox.

“It gives you the chance to visualise these places in a way that’s completely different to how we normally engage with them.

“Short of a time machine this is the closest we’ll ever get to being there.”

The talks are being broadcast on streaming website, Twitch, on February 4, March 4 and April 8.