The amazing history of ancient Egypt began around 3000 B.C., with the invention of the writing called hieroglyphics.

Within the history of ancient Egypt, people have identified three periods of time when very important things happened.

In the Old Kingdom which was from about 2650 to 2140 B.C., the Egyptians built the pyramids.

The Middle Kingdom lasted from 2040 to 1640 B.C. This was when Egypt as a country became much stronger, and the Egyptians achieved a lot in literature, art and architecture.

In the New Kingdom which was from 1570 to 1070 B.C., Egypt became very powerful by conquering other nations and building an empire.

Between periods when Egypt was very strong and people discovered many things, weak kings ruled or foreigners controlled Egypt. Egyptians were in great confusion and the whole of Egyptian society was in disorder.

A thousand years before the Old Kingdom began, the Egyptians did many amazing things. They began farming. They learnt to irrigate their fields. They invented the hieroglyphic writing. They formed governments with kings for rulers. Finally, the made belief systems and customs that made the Egyptian life very special. These amazing things which they accomplished in the early days formed the basis of ancient Egyptian society.