The contours of Egyptian civilization, only faintly visible during the Predynastic period, takes definite shape during the ensuing Early Dynastic period, beginning with Menes, who is credited with unifying Upper and Lower Egypt.

Cities arose on the southern plain of Mesopotamia which competed with and ultimately surpassed Uruk. Though on opposite ends of the plain, Khafajah and Ur nevertheless shared a common culture which may rightly be described as Sumerian. Famous Sumerian kings such as Agga of Kish, Mesannapeda of Ur, and Gilgamesh of Uruk should probably be dated to this period, as well as the earliest tombs in the Royal Cemetery of Ur.

In Canaan, also, cities with impressive fortification walls begin to appear. These conducted extensive overland trade with Egypt during Egypt’s First Dynasty. This trade ceased when Egypt fell into internal conflict, a period which seems to have lasted for most of its Second Dynasty. It ended with the accession of Khasekhemwy, and the reunification of Upper and Lower Egypt.

Texts produced in Mesopotamia during this period begin to exhibit proper syntax and grammar necessary for communicating ideas and stories rather than mere accounts. Most of the texts from this period are nevertheless accounting tablets.

The following are some of the places, artifacts, architecture, and literature covered in this section.