Early Dynastic Period

Question 1

What is the early history of Egypt known as ?

Answer 1

Pre-history

Question 2

When historians refer to Ancient Egypt what part are they referring to ?

Answer 2

The Early Dynastic Period

Question 3

How else is the Early Dynastic Period known as ?

Answer 3

The Archaic Period

Question 4

What is the period that just preceded the

Early Dynastic Period ?

Answer 4

The Naqada III Period

Question 5

When did the Early Dynastic Period begin ?

Answer 5

Immediately after the unification of Egypt

Question 6

Which parts of Egypt were part of this unification ?

Answer 6

Upper and Lower Egypt

Question 7

On what date did the Early Dynastic Period start ?

Answer 7

Around 3100 BC

Question 8

On what date did the Early Dynastic Period end ?

Answer 8

Around 2686 BC

Question 9

Which Dynasties did the Early Dynastic Period incorporate ?

Answer 9

The First and Second Dynasties

Question 10

How were settlements and villages governed before unification ?

Answer 10

They were self governed or autonomous

Question 11

When the Early Dynastic Period was formed what was the land known as ?

Answer 11

‘The Two Lands’

Question 12

How were public affairs managed when the Early Dynastic Period started ?

Answer 12

By the creation of a royal and government administration

Question 13

What materials were the central government buildings constructed of ?

Answer 13

Wood and/or sandstone

Question 14

Which king is credited with the unification of Egypt ?

Answer 14

King Narmer

Question 15

By what other name do Egyptologists recognise King Narmer ?

Answer 15

Menes

Question 16

What was a common occurrence between Upper and Lower Egypt before King Narmer’s reign ?

Answer 16

Warfare

Question 17

How did King Narmer merge the 2 kingdoms ?

Answer 17

By defeating the military of Lower Egypt in the Nile Delta

Question 18

How many times was Egypt unified before King Narmer?

Answer 18

None - this was the first time

Question 19

How is Egypt’s unification portrayed in Egyptian mythology ?

Answer 19

By a battle between the gods Horus and Set (Seth)

Question 20

Which region did Horus represent and what animals head depicted him ?

Answer 20

Horus is identified with Lower Egypt and has the head of a falcon

Question 21

Which region did Set represent and what animals head depicted him ?

Answer 21

Set is identified with Upper Egypt and has the head of a jackal

Question 22

Where were most of Egypt’s societies found before the Early Dynastic Period ?

Answer 22

Along the river Nile

Question 23

What was the main source of income for the pre Early Dynastic Period societies ?

Answer 23

Agriculture - both in crops and animals

Question 24

From what date did Ancient Egyptian societies begin to advance rapidly ?

Answer 24

3600 BC

Question 25

Name 6 examples of how Ancient Egyptian society rapidly advanced ?

Answer 25

1. Use of sun-dried bricks for more advanced
   architecture & more permanent buildings
2. Use of copper
3. Creating new pottery
4. Construction of mastabas (ancient tombs)
5. Planting more cereal crops to stabilise the
   economy
6. Expanding their writing symbols from just a
   few characters to over 200 symbols

Question 26

As trading networks sprung up and agricultural organisation improved what else started to unify ?

Answer 26

Politics

Question 27

Did all this advancement and political unification continue into the Early Dynastic Period ?

Answer 27

Yes it did

Question 28

According to Menetho, the Greek-Egyptian ancient historian, who did he state was the first ruler of the Early Dynastic Period ?

Answer 28

Menes

Question 29

Most historians believe that Menes is no other than who ?

Answer 29

King Narmer

Question 30

Some historians believe that Narmer was actually the last ruler of which era ?

Answer 30

The Naqada III period

Question 31

Some historians believe that Menes is no other than __________ rather than Narmer ?

Answer 31

Hor - Aha

Question 32

Which ruler is indisputably the first ruler of “The Two Lands” ?

Answer 32

King Narmer

Question 33

What proof is there that King Narmer is the First ruler of “The Two Lands” ?

Answer 33

He is depicted wearing both crowns of Upper and Lower Egypt

Question 34

How can you indentify these crowns ?

Answer 34

The crown of Upper Egypt was white representing the lotus flower, and the one for Lower Egypt was red for the papyrus reed

Question 35

What period followed the Early Dynastic Period ?

Answer 35

The Old Kingdom