Ancient Egypt remains one of the most storied, romantic and revered eras in all of world history. As the dominant force in North Africa for three millennia, the Egyptians cultivated a fascinating culture, constructed huge monuments to their rulers and gods, and left behind a rich collection of relics that enable us to engage with their story today. But every story must have a beginning, and in the first chapter of the ancient kingdom was King Narmer, the first king of unified Egypt.
Unlike the swathes of published histories, oratories, biographies and personal accounts left to us by more recent civilisations like the Roman Empire, our sources stretching as far back in time to King Narmer – who reigned approximately 5,000 years ago – are understandably scarce. But such was his importance that there is an array of recovered artefacts and relics that enable us to piece together a good account of his many achievements.
Other artefacts that both pre-date and post-date Narmer’s reign contextualise these pieces, enabling us to explore the changes that the first king brought to his country and its culture. In addition, the advancing science of bioarcheology has begun to unearth the movements of settlements and the state of farmland during this period.
