Early Dynastic Period (Egypt)
period of ancient Egyptian history / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Early Dynastic Period of Egypt began when Lower and Upper Egypt were joined together as one country in about 3100 BC. This was called the Two Lands. The First and Second Dynasties ruled during this time. It ended in about 2686 BC, at the beginning of the Old Kingdom.[1]
Early Dynastic Period of Egypt tȝwy | |||||||||||
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c. 3150 BC – c. 2686 BC | |||||||||||
Capital | Memphis | ||||||||||
Common languages | Ancient Egyptian | ||||||||||
Religion | Ancient Egyptian religion | ||||||||||
Government | Monarchy | ||||||||||
Pharaoh | |||||||||||
• c. 3100 BC | Narmer (first) | ||||||||||
• c. 2690 BC | Khasekhemwy (last) | ||||||||||
History | |||||||||||
• Established | c. 3150 BC | ||||||||||
• Disestablished | c. 2686 BC | ||||||||||
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Today part of | Egypt |
The capital city of the Two Lands was moved from Thinis to Memphis. The united Egypt was ruled by an Egyptian god-king. The main features of ancient Egyptian civilization, such as art, architecture and religion, took shape during this time.
Before the Early Dynastic Period, Egypt was settled with small, separate villages. The rulers were able to set up a government system across the whole country, run by local royal governors. Government buildings were usually open-air temples made of wood or sandstone. Writing, in hieroglyphs began to be used just before this period. Little is known about the spoken language.