Home Region:  Northeast Africa (Africa)

Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom

2650 BCE 2350 BCE
EQ 2020  eg_old_k_1 / EgOldK1
Preceding Entity: Add one more here.
2900 BCE 2687 BCE Egypt - Dynasty II (eg_dynasty_2)    [None]

Succeeding Entity: Add one more here.
2350 BCE 2150 BCE Egypt - Late Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_2)    [continuity]

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  General Description  
The Old Kingdom period of Egypt covers the Third to Sixth ruling Dynasties, a period stretching from about 2650 to 2150 BCE. Seshat divides this period into two groups, the ’Classic’ Old Kingdom period, covering the First through Fifth Dynasties (roughly 2650-2350 BCE), and the ’Late’ Old Kingdom, comprising the turbulent Sixth Dynasty (2350-2150 BCE). The Fifth Dynasty, with its complex and effective administrative systems, is considered to be the high point for the centralization of the Old Kingdom government.
Population and political organization
During the Old Kingdom of Egypt, a god-king based in Memphis extended his reach along the Nile river through a network of royal centres, military towers and agricultural domains. [1] Few documents survive from the period; what evidence there is suggests that Egypt had become a centrally planned and administered state. [2] During the Third Dynasty, high positions within the central administration were characteristically ‒ but not exclusively ‒ the preserve of the king’s family. A notable exception was the chancellor and high priest Imhotep, the architect of Djoser’s famous funerary complex which housed (among other buildings) the Step Pyramid. During the Fourth Dynasty, the number of officials from outside the king’s family increased within the Egyptian administration, a trend which peaked in the Fifth Dynasty when the vizier became a powerful figure in his own right. The vizier oversaw the palace government’s granaries and treasuries, within which there were specialized departments and hierarchies of scribes. [3] One of the best known literary works of the Old Kingdom, The Maxims of Ptahhotep ‒ an invaluable source on Egyptian officialdom ‒ was written by a vizier at the end of the Fifth Dynasty. [4] According to Egyptologist Hratch Papazian, however, a true hierarchical bureaucracy emerged only in the Late Old Kingdom. [5]
Initially, control over the approximately 300,000 square kilometres of Egyptian territory outside of Memphis was exercised through royal centres called hwt, run by directly-appointed state officials. [6] At first there were no formal provincial boundaries; the hwt, a royal possession, might extend over several villages, large amounts of royal agricultural land, labourers, fields and cattle. The governor and staff of the hwt were responsible for irrigation works. [6] [7] [8] One notable change that occurred between the Fifth to Sixth Dynasties was that control over the hwt gradually passed from the royal administration to a provincial nobility. [9]
A religious network of temples, mortuary complexes and local cults spread over the landscape of Egypt between 2650 and 2350 BCE. Long viewed as an incarnation of an ancient sky and falcon god called Horus, from the Fourth Dynasty onward the Egyptian king also was considered the son of a sun god, Ra. [10] Ra grew in importance during the Old Kingdom and, around the beginning of the Fifth Dynasty, had essentially become an Egyptian state god. Although a common religious-ideological system prevailed throughout Old Kingdom Egypt centred on the divine authority of the king and a pantheon of deities and spirits, in general religious beliefs at this time were ’locally diverse and socially stratified’. [11] independent mortuary priests served cults at tombs dedicated to the afterlives of important individuals and local variation in the focus of worship remained an integral part of Egyptian religion. [11] On the burial chamber walls of King Unas, who reigned c. 2375-2345 BCE, we find the first Pyramid Texts, ’the earliest large religious composition known from ancient Egypt’. [4]

[1]: (Moreno García 2013, 196) Juan Carlos Moreno García. 2013. ’Building the Pharaonic State: Territory, Elite, and Power in Ancient Egypt during the 3rd Millennium BCE’, in Experiencing Power - Generating Authority: Cosmos and Politics in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, edited by J. A. Hill, Ph. H. Jones, A. J. Morales, 185-217. Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania Press.

[2]: (Malek 2000, 95) Jaromir Malek. 2000. ’The Old Kingdom (c. 2686-2160 BC)’, in The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt, edited by Ian Shaw, 83-107. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

[3]: (Papazian 2013, 46, 78) Hratch Papazian. 2013. ’Departments, Treasuries, Granaries and Work Centers’, in Ancient Egyptian Adminstration, edited by Juan Carlos Moreno García, 41-83. Leiden: Brill.

[4]: (Malek 2000, 102) Jaromir Malek. 2000. ’The Old Kingdom (c. 2686-2160 BC)’, in The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt, edited by Ian Shaw, 83-107. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

[5]: (Papazian 2013, 67-68) Hratch Papazian. 2013. ’Departments, Treasuries, Granaries and Work Centers’, in Ancient Egyptian Adminstration, edited by Juan Carlos Moreno García, 41-83. Leiden: Brill.

[6]: (Moreno García 2013, 198) Juan Carlos Moreno García. 2013. ’Building the Pharaonic State: Territory, Elite, and Power in Ancient Egypt during the 3rd Millennium BCE’, in Experiencing Power - Generating Authority: Cosmos and Politics in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, edited by J. A. Hill, Ph. H. Jones, A. J. Morales, 185-217. Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania Press.

[7]: (Van De Mieroop 2011, 80) Marc Van De Mieroop. 2011. A History of Ancient Egypt. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell. Chichester.

[8]: (Malek 2000, 94) Jaromir Malek. 2000. ’The Old Kingdom (c. 2686-2160 BC)’, in The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt, edited by Ian Shaw, 83-107. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

[9]: (Kemp 1983, 108) Barry J. Kemp. 1983. ’Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom and Second Intermediate Period c. 2686-1552 BC’, in Ancient Egypt: A Social History, edited by Bruce G. Trigger, Barry J. Kemp, David O’Connor and Alan B. Lloyd, 71-182. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

[10]: (Kemp 1983, 71-72) Barry J. Kemp. 1983. ’Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom and Second Intermediate Period c. 2686-1552 BC’, in Ancient Egypt: A Social History, edited by Bruce G. Trigger, Barry J. Kemp, David O’Connor and Alan B. Lloyd, 71-182. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

[11]: (Malek 2000, 101) Jaromir Malek. 2000. ’The Old Kingdom (c. 2686-2160 BC)’, in The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt, edited by Ian Shaw, 83-107. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Economy Variables (Luxury Goods) Coding in Progress.
Religion Variables Coding in Progress.

NGA Settlements:

Year Range Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1) was in:
 (2650 BCE 2351 BCE) Upper Egypt
Home NGA: Upper Egypt

General Variables
Identity and Location Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Utm Zone 36 R Expert 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Original Name Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom Expert 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Capital 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Alternative Name Old Kingdom of Egypt Expert 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Alternative Name Old Kingdom Expert 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Temporal Bounds Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1)
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Peak Years
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Duration
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Political and Cultural Relations Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Suprapolity Relations none Expert 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Succeeding Entity Egypt - Late Old Kingdom Expert 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Preceding Entity
2900 BCE 2687 BCE
Egypt - Dynasty II (eg_dynasty_2)   [None]  Expert
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Succeeding Entity
2350 BCE 2150 BCE
Egypt - Late Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_2)   [continuity]  Expert
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Degree of Centralization 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Language Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1)
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Linguistic Family Afro-Asiatic Expert 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Language Ancient Egyptian Expert 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Religion Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1)
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Social Complexity Variables
Social Scale Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Population of the Largest Settlement 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Population of the Largest Settlement 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Polity Territory 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Polity Population 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Largest Communication Distance 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Hierarchical Complexity Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1)
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Settlement Hierarchy 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Religious Level 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Military Level 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Administrative Level 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Professions Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1)
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Professional Soldier 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Professional Priesthood 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Professional Military Officer 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Source Of Support 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Source Of Support 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Occupational Complexity 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Bureaucracy Characteristics Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1)
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Specialized Government Building 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Merit Promotion 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Full Time Bureaucrat 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Examination System Absent Inferred 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Law Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1)
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Professional Lawyer 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Judge 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Judge 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Court 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Specialized Buildings: polity owned Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1)
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Market 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Market 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Irrigation System 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Food Storage Site 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Drinking Water Supply System 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Communal Building 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Utilitarian Public Building Present 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Symbolic Building 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Knowledge Or Information Building 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Entertainment Building 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Special Purpose House 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Other Utilitarian Public Building 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Transport Infrastructure Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1)
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Road 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Port 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Canal 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Bridge 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Special-purpose Sites Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1)
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Mines or Quarry 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Trading Emporia 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Special Purpose Site Present 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Enclosure 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Ceremonial Site 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Burial Site 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Other Special Purpose Site 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Information / Writing System Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Written Record Present 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Script 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Phonetic Alphabetic Writing 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Nonwritten Record Present 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Non Phonetic Writing 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Mnemonic Device Unknown Suspected 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Information / Kinds of Written Documents Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1)
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Scientific Literature 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Sacred Text 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Religious Literature 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Practical Literature 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Philosophy 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Philosophy 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Lists Tables and Classification 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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History 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Fiction 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Calendar 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Information / Money Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1)
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Token Unknown Suspected 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Precious Metal Present Inferred 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Paper Currency Absent Inferred 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Indigenous Coin 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Foreign Coin 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Article 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Store Of Wealth 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Information / Postal System Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Postal Station Absent Inferred 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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General Postal Service Absent Inferred 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Courier Present Inferred 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Information / Measurement System Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1)
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Warfare Variables (Military Technologies)
Fortifications Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Wooden Palisade 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Wooden Palisade 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Stone Walls Non Mortared 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Stone Walls Mortared 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Settlements in a Defensive Position 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Modern Fortification Absent 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Moat Present Uncertain 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Moat Absent Uncertain 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Fortified Camp 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Earth Rampart 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Ditch Present Uncertain 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Ditch Absent Uncertain 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Complex Fortification 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Long Wall absent 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Military use of Metals Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1)
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Steel Absent 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Iron 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Copper 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Bronze 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Projectiles Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1)
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Tension Siege Engine 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Sling Siege Engine 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Sling 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Self Bow 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Javelin Absent Inferred 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Handheld Firearm 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Gunpowder Siege Artillery 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Crossbow 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Composite Bow 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Atlatl 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Handheld weapons Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1)
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War Club 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Sword 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Spear 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Polearm 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Dagger 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Battle Axe 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Animals used in warfare Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1)
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Horse 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Donkey 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Dog Unknown Suspected 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Camel 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Armor Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1)
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Wood Bark Etc 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Shield 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Scaled Armor 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Plate Armor 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Limb Protection 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Leather Cloth 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Laminar Armor 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Helmet 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Chainmail 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Breastplate 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Naval technology Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1)
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Specialized Military Vessel 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Small Vessels Canoes Etc Present 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Merchant Ships Pressed Into Service Absent 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Economy Variables (Luxury Goods)
Religion Variables
Moralizing Supernatural Punishment and Reward Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Moralizing Enforcement is Broad 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Moralizing Supernatural Concern is Primary 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Moralizing Enforcement is Agentic 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Moralizing Enforcement in This Life Unknown 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Moralizing Supernatural Punishment And Reward 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Moralizing Religion Adopted by Commoners 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Moralizing Enforcement is Targeted 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Moralizing Enforcement in Afterlife 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Moralizing Religion Adopted by Elites 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Moralizing Enforcement of Rulers 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Moralizing Enforcement is Certain 2650 BCE  2350 BCE
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Human Sacrifice Egypt - Classic Old Kingdom (eg_old_k_1)
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Instability Data
Power Transitions