First published 2002
Wilkinson examines the five hundred years that preceded the Great Pyramid's construction at Giza, when ancient Egyptian civilization took its distinctive shape. This formative era witnessed the birth of a culture that would persist for three millennia. The author investigates how this remarkable transformation occurred, what mechanisms drove it, and how people lived in the Nile valley during the first five centuries of Pharaonic governance. Drawing from over thirty years of international research and archaeological work, Wilkinson traces how scholars rediscovered this period, explains the methods dynasties used to establish governmental control, and analyzes how the emerging state affected individual communities and regions. The book tackles previously overlooked aspects of this era, including administrative systems and bureaucratic structures. Wilkinson presents the most complete examination of this crucial period, offering readers insight into the foundations of one of history's most enduring civilizations.
Genres: history, archaeology, ancient, ancient-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: academic-work, historical-examination
Setting: Egypt, Giza, Nile Valley
Period: Early Dynastic Period
440 pages · Kindle Edition · Routledge