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Period · until c. 3000 BC
Predynastic Period & Dynasty 0
- Dates
- until c. 3000 BC
- Dynasties
- ‘Dynasty 0’ and early petty kings
- Capital
- Abydos, Hierakonpolis
- In the directory
- 26 entries
From about 4000 BC the Naqada culture develops along the Nile. Towards its end, rival petty kingdoms emerge in Upper and Lower Egypt. Some of their rulers are known to us only from names scratched on pottery vessels. Out of their struggles the unified Egyptian state is born.
Achievements and events
- c. 3320 BCTomb U-j at Abydos: more than 170 inscribed labels of bone and ivory, the oldest written records in Egypt and among the oldest of humankind.
- c. 3250 BCScorpion I: he is credited with introducing writing and the first irrigation works.
- c. 3025 BCScorpion II is depicted wearing the White Crown of Upper Egypt, one of the earliest royal symbols.
- c. 3000 BCNarmer Palette: the unification of the country is celebrated as the king’s victory over his enemies.
All rulers of the period
Before Dynasty 0
- Finger Snail
- Fish
- Pen-abuc. 3300 BC
- Animal
- Stork
- Dog
- Bullc. 3250 BC
- Scorpion Ic. 3250 BC
Dynasty 0
- Hedju-Horc. 3200 BC
- Ny-Horc. 3100 BC
- Double Falconc. 3100 BC
- Ni-Neith
- Hat-Hor
- Crocodilec. 3100 BC
- Iry-Hor
- Scorpion IIc. 3025 BC
- Ka/Sekhenc. 3020 BC
- Narmerc. 3000 BC