First Dynasty

The first and second Dynasties of Ancient Egypt are often combined under the group title of the "Protodynastic Period".

Information about the Protodynastic Period depends upon a few monuments and other objects bearing royal names, the most important being the Narmer Palette. No detailed records of the first two dynasties have survived, and it is likely no such records ever existed. This period was a developmental stage for writing as we know it.

Large tombs for Kings at Abydos, Neqada and Saqqara in addition to cemeteries at Helouan near Memphis, reveal structures built largely of wood and mud bricks. with some small use of stone for walls and floors. Stone was used in quantity for the manufacture of ornaments, vessels and occasionally statues.

First Dynasty

Name	Comments	Dates
Hor-Aha	Menes in earlier lists	c. 3050 BCE
Djer	-	57 years
Merneith	Regent for Djet	-
Djet	-	-
Den	-	14 to 20 years
Anedjib	-	26 years
Semerkhet	-	9 to 18 years
Qa'a	-	2916 ?-2890

See also: Pharaoh