The following table highlights key moments in ancient Egypt's timeline, focusing on design and technology:
| Time Period | Event / Discovery | Description / Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Predynastic Period (c. 6000-3100 BCE) | Pottery and ceramics | The development of pottery and ceramics allowed for more efficient food storage and artistic expression. |
| Early Dynastic Period (c. 3100-2686 BCE) | Invention of hieroglyphics | The creation of hieroglyphics revolutionized communication and record-keeping, enabling the preservation of knowledge and history. |
| Old Kingdom (c. 2686-2181 BCE) | Pyramids and monumental architecture | The construction of the Great Pyramids of Giza and other monumental structures showcased advanced engineering and architectural techniques. |
| First Intermediate Period (c. 2181-2055 BCE) | Artistic innovation | During this period, artists began to experiment with new materials, techniques, and styles, resulting in more detailed and diverse artwork. |
| Middle Kingdom (c. 2055-1650 BCE) | Advancements in literature | The Middle Kingdom saw the emergence of more complex literature, including religious texts, wisdom literature, and poetry. |
| Second Intermediate Period (c. 1650-1550 BCE) | Hyksos invasion | The Hyksos introduced new technologies, such as the composite bow and the horse-drawn chariot, which had a significant impact on Egyptian warfare. |
| New Kingdom (c. 1550-1070 BCE) | Expansion of empire and art | The New Kingdom saw significant advancements in art and design, including frescoes, intricate jewelry, and monumental temples, such as those at Karnak and Luxor. |
| Third Intermediate Period (c. 1070-664 BCE) | Decline of centralized power | This period saw a decline in monumental construction and a shift towards smaller-scale artwork and craft production. |
| Late Period (c. 664-332 BCE) | Introduction of new technologies | Foreign invasions and trade relationships during the Late Period introduced new technologies, such as glassmaking and advanced metallurgy. |
| Greco-Roman Period (c. 332 BCE-395 CE) | Hellenistic influence | The fusion of Egyptian and Greco-Roman culture resulted in the creation of new architectural styles, art forms, and technologies. |
This table provides an overview of the key milestones in ancient Egyptian design and technology, showcasing the civilization's innovation and creativity throughout its history.
The following is a timeline showing the dates, periods, dynasties and significant events in the history and art of ancient Egypt from the Predynastic Period (before 3100 BCE) to the end of the Roman Period (395 CE).
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Historic events
Egypt divided into Upper and Lower Egypt
Art movements
Hieroglyphic writing created
Two-dimensional imagery and symbolism established
Grid system to regulate proportions established
Painted pottery and figurines, ivory carvings, slate cosmetic palettes
Relief design developed from drawing
High quality and richly designed ceramics
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Early Dynastic Period, Dynasties 1-2
Historic events
3100 BCE - Unification of Upper and Lower Egypt by the first pharaoh Menes
Memphis is capital city
The strong central government supports the work of scribes, sculptors, and other artists and encourages new artistic methods.
Art movements
The Step Pyramid (first pyramid) for King Djoser constructed at Giza
Conventions of three-dimensional art established
Special royal iconography used to express ideologies of kingship
Scale of figures in artwork is used to symbolise status
Symbolic positions of seated and standing figures established
Depiction of nude enemies stripped of status
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Old Kingdom, Dynasties 3-6
Historic events
6th Dynasty – Collapse of the central government leads to local art styles developing
Art movements
First images and forms of art that endured for 3000 years
Painting develops
Large numbers of pyramids constructed
4th Dynasty – Great Sphinx and Great Pyramids built at Giza
5th Dynasty – Decoration inside pyramids introduced
5-6th Dynasty – mortuary chapels expanded to allow walls to be decorated
Stelae appear
Statues of kings placed in pyramid temples as part of the royal cult.
5th Dynasty – potter’s wheel invented
Gods depicted with broad shoulders and low smalls of their backs
Formalised nude figures with long, slender bodies, idealised proportions and large staring eyes
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First Intermediate Period
Historic events
Egypt splits into two smaller states: ruled by Memphis in the north and Thebes in the south. This civil disorder lasts for 150 years.
Art movements
Regional art styles develop
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Middle Kingdom, Dynasties 11-13
Historic events
Mentuhotep reunites Egypt
First obelisks erected at Heliopolis by Seusret I
11th Dynasty – God Amun-Ra rises to prominence and becomes a centre of cult at Thebes
Art movements
New emphasis is placed on the King as the child of a divine pair.
Technology to smelt and cast bronze develops and statues flourish
Women begin to appear in individual portraits
People lower in social rankings began to commission statues, causing a large variation of quality
Coffins imitating body form appear
Shabtis appear
Canopic jars with heads sculpted in human form appear
Key piece
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Second Intermediate Period
Historic events
Egypt falls to Near Eastern rulers - Hyksos - who seize power of the north.
11th Dynasty – Egypt unified again
Art movements
Egyptian art declines and is relatively crude
A reversion to traditional models from Memphis in the Early Dynastic Period
Figures have small heads, narrow shoulders and waists, slender limbs and no visible musculature.
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New Kingdom, Dynasties 18-20
Historic events
1470 BCE - Rule of the first female pharaoh Hatshepsut
1350 BCE - Ahkenaten rules and attempts to introduce the worship of a single god
1334 BCE - Tutankhanum rules
1290 BCE - Rameses II rules
Political stability and economic prosperity, supporting the abundance of artistic masterpieces
Art movements
Ahkenaten adopts the ‘Amarna’ style of art, characterised by movement and activity in images as well as faces shown in profile and distinctly feminine forms
Elaborate hidden tombs in the Valley of the Kings created
A middle class comprised of independent craftsmen and artisans develops
Highest quality workmanship, colossal sizes, rich materials used
Durable materials such as sandstone, basalt and granite widely used
A new sculpture introduced – owner kneeling, holding a stelae with a hymn to the sun
Feminine dress becomes more elaborate; men and women wear large heavy wigs with multiple tresses and braids
More painted scenes in rock-cut tombs than carved relief scenes
19th Dynasty – Canopic jars now have heads of baboons, jackals, falcons and humans
Large-scale battle scenes in temple decorations
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Third Intermediate Period
Historic events
Egypt again falls under Nubian and Lybian rule
Art movements
Bronze sculpting reaches its height
Many statues are richly inlaid with gold and silver
Kushite fold (the facial ‘smile’ line from the nose to the mouth)
Nubians depicted with dark skin and hooped earrings, braided hair
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Late Period, Dynasties 26-30
Historic events
Egypt regains the throne
Art movements
Stylistics developments of the New Kingdom discarded and older models are looked to for inspiration, particularly styles from the Old Kingdom and Middle Kingdom
Standards for the king and elite are at an extraordinary high level
The development of iron tools allow artisans to work on very hard stones
Bronze statuary common and technically finer and bronze casting now a major industry
Minor arts, such as alabaster vases, faience pottery, glass, ivories and metalwork flourish
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Ptolemaic Period
Historic events
Alexander the Great conquers Egypt and his general, Ptolemy, founds a dynasty.
Cleopatra dies in 30 BCE and Egypt becomes a province of the Roman Empire
Art movements
Colossal statues grace temple pylons along with sphinxes
New type of voluptuousness in female forms
High, smoothly rounded and heavily-modelled relief styles
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Roman Period
Historic events
The adoption of Christianity as the official religion of Egypt
Art movements
4-5th Century CE – art decorated with pagan and Christian themes
https://www.worldhistory.org/timeline/egypt/
More at: https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/phar/hd_phar.htm
