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Early Dynastic Period

This era marks the beginning of Ancient Egyptian civilization and is often referred to as the Archaic Period. It covers the time between the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under King Narmer around 3100 BC until the end of the 2nd Dynasty around 2686 BC.

The Early Dynastic Period saw the establishment of many of the hallmarks of Ancient Egyptian society, including a centralized government, a complex religious system, and a system of writing. It was also a time of great cultural and artistic development, as the Egyptians began to create elaborate works of art and architecture that would become some of the most famous in the world.

During this period, the pharaohs of Egypt  were revered as god-kings, and their rule was absolute. They oversaw the construction of many impressive structures, such as the Step Pyramid of Djoser and the first true pyramid, the Red Pyramid of Sneferu. The early dynasties also saw the development of a hieroglyphic script, which would become one of  the most important writing systems in the world.

In this section, we will explore the key events and developments of Egypt's Early Dynastic Period, including the rise of the pharaohs, the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt, and the establishment  of key cultural and religious practices. We will also examine the artistic and architectural achievements of the period, and the legacy that it has left on modern-day Egypt and the wider world.

Whether you are a student of history, an enthusiast of ancient civilizations, or simply curious about this formative period in human history, this section will provide you with a comprehensive overview of Egypt's Early Dynastic Period. So join us as we journey back in  time to explore the birth of one of the world's most enduring and fascinating civilizations.

‘Egyptian on Chariot in Crossroads of Civilization exhibit at Milwaukee Public Museum’. King Menes is credited with uniting the upper and lower lands of Egypt through both political alliance and military means.

Menes: Legends Say He United Egypt Under its First Dynasty…But Did He Even Exist?

Much like the ancient Romans had Romulus and Remus to thank for the foundation of their civilization, so too did the ancient Egyptians have a legendary figure that united the Upper and Lower lands –...
The Israelites Leaving Egypt by David Roberts. Representative of an ancient Egyptian City.

The Lost City of Thinis, First Capital of a United Egypt

Thinis was a city of the ancient Egyptian civilization. Whilst Thinis and its alternative, This, were the Greek names of the city, the ancient Egyptians knew it as Tjenu. This city once served as the...
The hieroglyph at the top middle with the seven arms and a dome radiating from a post is the symbol for the regent Queen Neith-Hotep. It was previously thought that she was King Narmer’s wife and not a sovereign in her own right.

Discovery of 5,000-year-old Hieroglyphs Change the Story of a Queen, a Pharaoh, and an Ancient City

Miners carved Egyptian hieroglyphs and drawings into the rock of the Sinai Desert 5,000 years ago as a way of marking the area as owned by Egypt, a researcher says. The people carving the symbols...