Archaeological culture · c. 4000–3000 BCE
Naqada culture
The Predynastic culture of Egypt, named after the town of Naqada near the gold routes of the eastern desert. Over three phases (Naqada I–III) villages in Upper Egypt grew into towns such as Hierakonpolis and Abydos, crafts and trade flourished, and the culture spread north into the Delta.
In its final phase local kings unified Egypt and the first hieroglyphs appeared. A 2013 radiocarbon study suggests it began c. 3800–3700 BCE.
See Naqada culture on the map in 3500 BCE
- On the map
- 4000–3000 BCE
How we know
Mostly known from cemeteries and towns dated by radiocarbon; the first Egyptian writing appears only in its last phase.
Sites
- Abydos c. 4000 BCE – late Roman times
- Hierakonpolis (Nekhen) c. 4000–2686 BCE (main period)