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Archaeological evidence suggests that hunters inhabited Egypt over 250,000 years ago when the region was green grassland. The Paleolithic period around 25,000BC brought climatic changes, which turned Egypt into a desert. The inhabitants survived by hunting and fishing and through a primitive form of cultivation.
Desertification of Egypt was halted by rains, which allowed communities of cultivators to settle in Middle Egypt and the Nile Delta. These farmers grew wheat, flax and wove linen fabrics in addition to tending flocks.
The first indigenous civilizations in
Egypt have been identified in the south of the country through archaeological
excavations. The Badarian culture is the earliest known developed Egyptian civilization
based on farming, hunting and mining. Badarians produced fine pottery and
carved objects as well as acquiring turquoise and wood through trading. |
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The Naqada lived in larger settlements
about 4,000BC and produced decorated pottery and figurines made from clay and
ivory, which indicate they were a war-like people. Naqada artifacts from
3,300BC show further development both in terms of culture and technology.
Evidence of irrigation systems and more advanced burial sites, as well as the
use of alien materials like lapis lazuli, indicate a cultural diversity and the
development of external trading.
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history Egypt encompassed a multiplicity of settlements, which gradually became
small tribal kingdoms. These kingdoms evolved into two loosely confederated
states; one encompassed the Nile valley up to the Delta (with the Naqada
dominating) with Hierakonpolis as capital, represented by the deities Seth and
White Crown; the other encompassed the Delta, with Buto as its capital and
represented by the deities Horus and Red Crown.
The two kingdoms vied for power over all the land of Egypt. This struggle led to the victory of the south and the unification of the Two Lands in 3100BC under the command of Menes who is also known as Narmer. This was the beginning of the dynastic period of the Pharaohs. |
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