PREDYNASTIC EGYPT ~3100 – 2650 BCE

The Nile River Flooded every year leaving rich black silt Great for agriculture Black Land = Kemet Red Land = Deshret River dotted with cataracts (rapids). The first one makes a natural border with Nubia Desert dotted with wadis (oases)

In The Beginning… Egypt divided into Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt Lower Egypt was the Delta; Upper Egypt was the rest. In Lower Egypt, the papyrus was abundant and trade was important

Upper and Lower Egypt Unite War broke out between the kings of Upper and Lower Egypt, the Upper Egyptian king prevailed This was Menes aka Narmer aka Scorpion King Capital at Memphis Built a temple to the god Ptah. He started the first dynasty and the Old Kingdom period.

Meanwhile… People began settling along the river When people died, they took them out to bury in the Deshret (desert) with a few possessions.

APPLE MUMMIES

OLD KINGDOM ~2650 – 2134 BCE

Old Kingdom Begins Djoser unifies Egypt again after nobles fighting for power Divides Egypt into nome (provinces) each with a governor Created himself to be a living god

Saqqara Djoser’s vizier, priest, architect was named Imhotep Djoser wanted to immortalized Step Pyramid (necropolis) Based upon the old way of making a grave (mastaba)

GREAT PYRAMIDS OF GIZA In the fourth dynasty, great improvements in architecture Big pyramid is for Khufu (Cheops in Greek), then Khafre and Menkaure Many smaller mastabas/small pyramids surrounding for the queens, nobles and workers. Many graveyards, temples, etc. Another necropolis

KHUFU’S PYRAMID

INSIDE THE PYRAMID Upon entering, there is the Grand Gallery that leads to the King Three burial chambers: an unfinished one, “queen’s chamber” and “king’s chamber” Both the Queen’s and King’s chambers have two shafts each, which have an unknown purpose.

GREAT SPHINX Part of the 2nd Pyramid (Khafre) Legendary broken nose Napoleon and his soldiers

Trade Begin to expand around Mediterranean Potter’s Wheel from Mesopotamia Timber from Syria Oil and Wine from Crete

END OF THE OLD KINGDOM Pharaoh's power weakened, government officials and priest grasping for power Pharaoh is a god, right? He should ensure good harvests. But years of bad harvests made the people look upon the pharaoh negatively Pepi II ruled for 94 years, when he died, so did Old Kingdom. Egypt separated again, many tried to be king Led to FIRST INTERMEDIATE PERIOD, lasted 100 years Memphis (capitol) left in ruins