It is important to note that Egyptologists dispute the exact dates of the various periods here, but most would generally agree on the following.
|
Predynastic |
5500–3100 BC |
|
Badarian |
5500–4000 BC |
|
Naqada I |
4000–3500 BC |
|
Naqada II |
3500–3200 BC |
|
Naqada III |
3200–3100 BC |
|
Early Dynastic |
3100–2686 BC |
|
Old Kingdom |
2686–2181 BC |
|
First Intermediate Period |
2181–2055 BC |
|
Middle Kingdom |
2055–1650 BC |
|
Second Intermediate Period |
1650–1550 BC |
|
New Kingdom |
1550–1069 BC |
|
Third Intermediate Period |
1069–747 BC |
|
Late Period |
747–332 BC |
|
Ptolemaic Period |
332–30 BC |
|
Roman Period |
30 BC–AD 395 |
During the Badarian Period, domestication of cattle, sheep and goats began in Egypt. During Naqada I, cereal farming played a major and important role and increased human settlement is evident. Towards the end of the fourth millennium, plough agriculture was well established. The Naqada III Period, or Dynasty 0, constitutes the formative years of the unification of Egypt and the formation of the state.