The Fourth Dynasty of Egypt is regarded as the golden age of the Old Kingdom, when the pharaohs were at the height of their power and built the largest pyramids. Sneferu, the first king, constructed the Meidum Pyramid, the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid, which show the development from stepped to true pyramids. His son Khufu built the Great Pyramid at Giza, and later kings, Khafre and Menkaure, added the other two main pyramids on the plateau, while the Great Sphinx is attributed to Khafre. The enormous projects demanded a highly organized state able to gather labour and materials. Papyri found at Wadi al-Jarf record the work of a crew that delivered limestone for Khufu's pyramid, adding to our knowledge of how it was done.
Before and after
- from c. 2,700 BCE to 539 BCEElam
- c. 2,700 BCEConstruction of Bent Pyramid
- from c. 2,686 BCE to 2,613 BCEThird Dynasty of Egypt
- c. 2,640 BCEConstruction of Pyramid of Djoser
- from c. 2,613 BCE to 2,498 BCEFourth Dynasty of Egypt
- from c. 2,600s BCE to 2,200s BCEBell beaker culture
- c. 2,601 BCECaral flourishes in the Norte Chico
- from c. 2,601 BCE to 1,901 BCEThe Indus Valley cities reach maturity
- c. 2,590 BCEConstruction of Red Pyramid
More in Civilizations & archaeology
- c. 1,051 BCEThe Phoenician alphabet spreads
- from c. 753 BCE to 476 CEAncient Rome
- 7th century BCEConstruction of Hanging Gardens of Babylon
- 323 BCEConstruction of Temple of Ephesian Artemis
- from 312 BCE to 63 BCESeleucid Empire
- from 279 BCE to 1480Construction of Lighthouse of Alexandria
The era
This moment belongs to the Ancient civilizations (3,200 BCE to 500 CE), writing, cities and empires. You can also browse everything in the 27th century BCE.