Ancient Egypt

Predynastic Period

5000 BCE

Writing

3150 BCE

The earliest writing techniques have been dated back to around 3150 BCE during the first dynasty

Archaic (Early Dynastic) Period

3100 BCE

Old Egyptian - Writing

3000 BCE

Oldest phase of language in history. The language first officially appeared in 3400 BCE. Early writings were just short texts and names. Evidence from these short texts show that it is possible that the Egyptian language began in 2600 BCE. Famous text of this period was inscribed into pyramids. This period of language extended to c. 2100 BCE.

MerNeith - Queen

2970 BCE

MerNeith was a queen in the 1st dynasty of Egypt, but may have also been a ruler in her own right for a small period of time. Her tomb closely resembles those of Egyptian kings from that time and reflects many of the honors given to them, such as a large underground chamber. Her name was included in a list of early pharaohs found on a seal in her son's tomb, beside her name was; ‘King’s Mother.’ If MerNeith did rule, she would have been the first female pharaoh and queen in recorded history.

Old Kingdom: Age of the Pyramid Builders

2686 BCE

The Pyramids - Invention

2630 BCE

Amongst the earliest of the Egyptian Pyramids have been dated back to 2630 BCE built during the time of the third Dynasty.

The False Pyramid - Architecture

2600 BCE

The false pyramid was one of the earliest attempts of a pyramid. The pyramid did not work well as the slope of the pyramid was too steep. It was built for the first king of the 4th dynasty, Sneferu (c. 2613 - 2589 BCE).

Middle Egyptian - Writing

2200 BCE

This period came straight after the old Egyptian. It continued for around 500 years as spoken and written. It was considered the main phase of language. It was the face where language reached its peak of development. Considered as a classical stage. Contained the most impressive and magnificent works or writing.

First Intermediate Period

2181 BCE

Middle Kingdom: 12th Dynasty

2055 BCE

Sobekneferu - Queen

1806 BCE

Sobekneferu was the last ruler of the 12th dynasty following the death of her brother Amenemhat IV. More than five other women are speculated to have ruled Egypt as pharaohs prior to Sobekneferu, but she is the first one confirmed by evidence.

Second Intermediate Period

1786 BCE

New Kingdom

1567 BCE

Late Egyptian - Writing

1550 BCE

Began to replace the middle phase for speaking and writing. It appeared in writings before 1600 BCE but not full until 1300 BCE and remained until around 600 BCE. It started appearing in trade documents and letters from the Ramesside Period. This showed the presence of foreign vocab. It is very evident that the language developed, especially in grammar from the early phases of Egyptian language.

Hatshepsut - Queen

1478 BCE

She is the second historically confirmed female pharaoh, becoming queen in the 18th dynasty after marrying her half-brother and then becoming regent to his son when he died. Quickly into her regency, she assumed the title and full powers of pharaoh. As a symbol of her power, she ordered all official representations of her to include the traditional regalia and symbols of the pharaoh, but statues of her today use elements of traditional female representations.

Luxor Pyramid - Architecture

1400 BCE

The Luxor temple was the most significant religious center in ancient Egypt. It was constructed by Amenhotep III, Ramses II, Tutankhamen and many other pharaohs over hundreds of years. It was very elaborately decorated as it was a temple for worshiping the gods. It was decorated mostly by Tutankhamun around 1330 B.C. Many of the temple’s sidewalls were torn down after the time of the pharaohs and recycled for building materials.

Neferneferuaten Nefertiti - Queen

1336 BCE

Akhenatan, her husband, and Nerfertit started monotheistic religion in the 18th dynasty and prayed to one god, the sun disk called Aten. Under their rule, Ancient Egypt was at the height of its wealth and prosperity. In certain artwork, there are scenes of Nefertiti in roles usually reserved for the pharaoh, such as hitting enemies. Some scholars believe she ruled Egypt briefly as pharaoh under the name Neferneferuaten after the death of her husband and before the ascension of Tutankhamun.

Tutankhamen's tomb - Architecture

1323 BCE

Tutankhamen was a Egyptian king who was born around 1342 BCE. His reign lasted for only 9 years and he was refereed to as the boy king because of his age. His tomb was years by tomb robbers and has only been found during the modern times. His tomb was small compared to other kings as he was refereed to as a minor king. Over 3,500 items were recovered from the tomb when it was uncovered by Howard Carter. Some items found include jewelry, oils, perfumes and furniture.

Twosret - Queen

1191 BCE

Twosret is the last known pharaoh of 19th dynasty. At first, she was the second wife of Seti II and regent to his heir Siptah, but when her husband died she assumed control of the throne and officially declared herself pharaoh. It is not known whether her reign ended in civil war or the conflict began as a result of her death.

Third Intermediate Period

1085 BCE

Demotic

700 BCE

It developed from the late Egyptian phase and remained in use until around 400 CE.

From the Late Period to Alexander’s Conquest

664 BCE

Cleopatra Vll - Queen

51 BCE

She ruled ancient Egypt as co-regent (first with her two younger brothers and then with her son) for almost three decades and was the last active pharaoh in Ptolemaic Egypt. She became pharaoh when she was 17 years old after her father died, serving as co-regent with her brother. In 48 B.C., her brother exiled her, and she fled to Syria where she assembled an army, got the backing of Julius Caesar, and with Rome’s military help, she regained her control of Egypt.

Coptic - Writing

200

Coptic language is still used in the Arabic speaking Christians in Egypt. It was the last phase of the Egyptian language and it remained a spoken language for the ancient Egyptians for more than 1000 years.