Old Kingdom

The first king of the 4th dynasty, Snefru, probably built the step pyramid of Maydūm

…pyramids of their sovereigns, the Old Kingdom (c. 2575–c. 2130 bce) nobles were buried in mastabas. The wall carvings within their tombs depict scenes of daily life.

During the Old Kingdom (its capital at Memphis), which lasted until about 2130 bce, dress was simple. Men wore a short skirt tied at the waist or held there by a belt. As time passed, the skirt became pleated or gathered. Important people wore in addition a…

…and sculpture that during the Old Kingdom (c. 2686–c. 2160 bce) the Egyptians placed flowers in vases. In the tomb of Perneb bas-relief carvings show lotus blossoms and buds alternately arranged in flared bowls that were set upon banquet tables or carried in processions. Paintings of functional vases with spouts…

…the parts of a normal Old Kingdom (c. 2575–c. 2130 bc) funerary monument. These parts included the pyramid itself, a mortuary temple, and a sloping causeway leading to a valley temple built near the Nile. The Maydūm pyramid was originally a seven-stepped pyramid to which another step was added. Finally,…

Memphis reached preeminence by the 3rd dynasty. The 3rd-century-bce historian Manetho calls the 3rd and 4th dynasties (c. 2650–c. 2465 bce) Memphite, and the huge royal pyramid tombs of this period, in the necropolises of Memphis, confirm this. Djoser, the

…under a powerful monarchy (the Old Kingdom) served by a complex bureaucracy.

An Old Kingdom town was discovered at Buhen, providing evidence of a much earlier Egyptian penetration of Kush than was previously believed. The town was preserved and relocated. A chain of Middle Kingdom mud brick fortresses near the Second Cataract received well-merited attention but could not…

…to priestly officials in the Old Kingdom (c. 2686–c. 2160 bce), it appears that one priest must have served simultaneously a multiplicity of cults in the shrine to which he was attached and received a share of the offerings and emoluments. In wealthy great temples in the New Kingdom (c.…

…marked the climax of the Old Kingdom (c. 2543–c. 2120 bce).

The standing male figure with left leg advanced and the seated figure were the most common types of Egyptian statuary. Traces of wooden figures found at Ṣaqqārah show that the first type was being made as early as the 1st dynasty. The earliest…