-
11,000 BCE
The Start of a Civilization
Civilization in Ancient Egypt started around 11,000 BCE. Small villages popped up around the Nile river do to how close water was to the villages. Eventually, villages towards the north of Egypt formed the lower kingdom while the villages to the south formed the upper region of Egypt. The reason why north and south was flipped for these two kingdoms was because of how the Nile river ran from south to north instead of north to south. This event is important because it started ancient egypt. -
3250 BCE
The Age of Writing
Writing in Ancient Egypt consisted of a picture language that is called hieroglyphs. Most of these writing could be found on temple walls, tombs, and statues. Hieroglyphics were first found on tombs in the city of Abydos. The importance of this event for the time period was that it recorded important events that happened in the time period such as wars, leaders, and other events. -
3100 BCE
The First Pharaoh
The first Pharaoh that united the upper and lower parts of Egypt was named Menes. During his rule, Menes made a foreign expedition to the land of Canaan where Menes's serekh was found in 9 different locations. The picture on this event is the head of a statue that features Memes. Menes was born Thenis. The importance of Menes becoming the first Pharaoh of egypt was that he was able to reunite upper and lower egypt. -
Period: 2613 BCE to 2181 BCE
Old Kingdom
The Old Kingdom was the first period of recorded time for the ancient Egyptians. This period is very famous for its pyramids since a majority were built in this period as a burial place for royals that had died. The Old Kingdom was brought to an end due to a centuries-long drought, invaders, and an economic crisis. The Old Kingdom takes place in the Nile river region in the Abu region. The significance of the old kingdom was the creation of most of the pyramids in egypt. -
Period: 2600 BCE to 2500 BCE
The Creation of the Pyramids
As previously mentioned, a majority of the pyramids created where made during the Old Kingdom era. There are many pyramids scattered across the Nile river including the biggest one called, The Great Pyramid of Giza. However, newer pyramids were made from mud blocks. The first pyramid was made in Sakara near the city of memphis. The significance of the creation of the pyramids was understanding the laws of the afterlife and what must be done in order to prepare a person for the afterlife. -
Period: 2181 BCE to 2055 BCE
First Intermediate Period
Nicknamed "the dark age of ancient egyptian history", this period of time lasted for about 125 years. Warfare was also very common during this era where local rulers would wage war against other rulers. The territory of the intermediate period was split between two houses in Heracleopolis and Thebes. The importance of this time period was an increase in multiple individual rulers instead of one government. -
2100 BCE
The Creation of Coffin Texts
At this time, coffin texts became available to the common person instead of just Pharaohs. There were over 1,185 confirmed spells that were inscribed on coffins throughout ancient egypt. It is not said where coffin texts originated from in ancient egypt, however, it was most likely used first with one of the first pharaohs in egyptian history. The significance of coffin text for the time period was ensuring that the dead going to the afterlife continued to have a good life. -
2055 BCE
Upper and Lower Egypt Reunite
After the collapse of the egyptian government in 2200 bce, the north and south were reunited again by a different pharaoh named Mentuhotep ll. The reunification of the two territories does not have a specific location besides the two locations reuniting. The significance of this event was that egypt again goes under one ruler. -
Period: 2040 BCE to 1782 BCE
Middle Kingdom
The middle kingdom era of Egypt lasted for around 380 years. There is no set location for the middle kingdom other than the lower and upper kingdoms. The significance of the middle kingdom was the reunification of the upper and lower kingdoms. At this time, Egypt experienced changes in its religions, afterlife beliefs, and the way people viewed kingship. -
Period: 1782 BCE to 1570 BCE
Second Intermediate Period
The second intermediate period lasted for around 250 years. Egypt saw itself split again into the middle kingdom and the new kingdom. This event was caused by a very important pharaoh passing away without an heir, this caused rivalry factions to try and claim the crown. The location of the second intermediate period still takes place in the same as the other periods. The significance of this period was seeing ancient Egypt split into different factions for the second time in history. -
1700 BCE
Book of the Dead
The Book of the Dead consists of myths, rites, and prayers about the afterlife. The Book of the Dead was first discovered inscribed in pyramids. The oldest version of the Book of the Dead is considered to be one of the first books ever created in human history. It is unknown where the Book of the Dead was created, other than it was found in certain Pyramids. The significance of the book was that it was a guide in a person's journey through the afterlife. -
Period: 1570 BCE to 1069 BCE
New Kingdom
The new kingdom of ancient Egypt lasted for around 480 years. This period of time for ancient Egypt was known for its monuments that paid tribute to their gods. The significance of the new kingdom era was that the Pharaohs during this time period were able to reunite Egypt again and also made the country rich by the use of trade. The location of this era is still taking place in upper and lower Egypt. -
1500 BCE
Expansion of Egypt
At this point in time, Egypt was able to make there way into modern day Palestine and Syria in the north. As well as Nubia in the south. The location of new parts of the Egyptian empire would take place in these countries. The significance of this expansion demonstrated the power of the Egyptian empire as well as capturing more land to be profited on in future years. -
Period: 1473 BCE to 1458 BCE
The Female Pharaoh Hatshepsut
The female pharaoh Hatshepsut was the second female pharaoh on the timeline of ancient Egypt. She is most famously known for leading one of the most successful expeditions of ancient Egypt which brought back god, incense, and ebony. It is not known where Hatshepsut was born or crowned as a Pharaoh. -
Period: 1352 BCE to 1336 BCE
Rise and fall of Aten
At this point of time, the ruler of Egypt was a king named Akhenaten. He believed that only the sun god Aten should be worshipped. He tried to push this belief off on his people but eventually when Akhenaten died, the people removed his statues and restored the original religion of multiple gods. The significance of this event was that it showed future rulers of Egypt that a Monotheistic religion would not work in Egypt. The main temple of Aten was between Memphis and Thebes. -
Period: 1069 BCE to 525 BCE
Third Intermediate Period
The last major period of ancient Egypt lasted for about 414 years until the period ended in 664 BC. This was another dark age for ancient Egypt with more political instability. At the same time, foreigners from other parts of the world were coming over to invade and conquer Egypt. The significance of this period was the instability of the Egyptian government as it marked the end times of ancient Egypt. The location of this period still takes place in ancient Egypt. -
Period: 672 BCE to 332 BCE
Foreign Rule
At this point in the history of ancient Egypt. Outsiders ruled the lands, at first it was the Assyrians that controlled local Egyptian Kings in 673 BCE. However, the Persians ruled over Egypt from 525 to 404 BCE. The significance of these takeovers highlighted the fact that the ancient Egyptian government was failing and that there time was almost up. The location still takes place in ancient Egypt. -
196 BCE
The Rosetta Stone
The Rosetta stone is a mysterious stone that was found by French soldiers in July 1799 when the French invaded Egypt. There are 3 different languages the stone is written in including, Demotic, Hieroglyphic, and Greek. The Rosetta stone was used to be able to understand Hieroglyphics. The location of this stone was in Rosetta. The importance of this stone was that it played a key role in helping decipher the language of Hieroglyphics. -
Period: 51 BCE to 30 BCE
Cleopatra Reign
Cleopatra was the last queen of ancient Egypt before the territory was annexed into the Holy Roman Empire. She improved trade, the economy, and commissioned multiple building projects. However, in the end, this was not enough to save Egypt from foreign rule. The significance of Cleopatra's reign over Egypt was that she was the last ruler of Egypt before the Romans and was also a female ruler. The location is still in ancient Egypt. -
394
The Last Hieroglyph
The last Hieroglyph was a graffiti made by a priest at a Philae temple. After this hieroglyph, the ability to read them disappears. The significance of this event was that it marked the end of the Hieroglyphic language.