The Rise of the Old Kingdom
I. The First Nation in History
A. Narmer
First King of Egypt
United Egypt
One large nation
Fruits of his efforts
A capital was established
Traditions are established
Behavior patterns
Dynasty I (3035-2890 BC)
B. Excavations at Abydos
In the South
Revealed that they had tombs
C. Hor-Aha
Founded Memphis
Crucial for strategic reasons
Geography
Not buried here though
D. Kings of Dynasty I
Buried at Abydos
Sacred city
Simple underground mud brick tombs
The Pharaohs were placed
Flinders Petrie excavated these tombs
Not looking for treasure
Paid his excavators
Fair market value
King Djers
Cairo
Real people who led
Some mysteries surrounded these rulers
E. Saqqara
Early place of burial
Why two burials?
II. Dynasty II (2890-2686 BC)
A. History
Very sketchy
B. Names
III. Dynasty III
A. Zoser (2686-2649)
Builder of the first pyramid
Sand pit burials
Wind and animals
Something better had to be done
Remove down to the bedrock
Cover with stone
Mastaba
Rectangular above ground burial
A short move from the Mastaba to pyramid
Imhotep
Started this process
B. Step Pyramid at Saqqara
First building in stone
Start smaller
A complex
Little room (statue)
Chapels
A courtyard to celebrate the heb-sed festival
Rejuvenate by magic
And the southern burial
Celebrating the festival
C. Imhotep
Professor Walter Emery
Buried at Saqqara
Had a tremendous reputation
Emery
Followed the trail for years
Never discovered
D. Horus Sekhemkhet (2649-2643)
Build a Step pyramid
Never finished
Few meters high
Burial chamber was sealed
Once inside
All sorts of items
E. The Rise to Greatness
Will continue