Human world
Your introduction to ancient Egypt begins here; starting with the formation of the first two Egyptian kingdoms, right up to the modern Egypt that we know today.
In around 10,000 BC, vast areas of Egypt were grassy plains, abundant with plants and animals. This made the perfect environment for semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers. Things began to change about 5300 BC when larger groups established permanent farming communities in the Nile valley and the delta.
These groups gradually merged together to form the earliest towns in Egypt such as Nagada, Hierakonpolis and Buto. Two distinctive kingdoms emerged – Lower Egypt (in the north) and Upper Egypt (in the south). Archaeologists divide the Predynastic era into two time periods, called the Nagada I period (4000-3500 BC) and the Nagada II period (3500-3000 BC).
The two kingdoms warred against each other until about 3000 BC, when they merged to form one culturally united state. This unification was probably achieved by King Narmer, the first Pharaoh of Egypt whose name is known. Pharaohs would later use the title 'King of Upper and Lower Egypt'.
Today Egypt is an African nation with a vibrant culture. Egyptian music, literature, and film are popular throughout Africa and the Arabic-speaking world. Football is the most popular sport. The national football team, The Pharaohs, are the most successful team in Africa.
To find out more about why Liverpool has become an important centre for Egyptology, please visit the history of the collection page.