Egyptian Timeline

Circa 3000 - 2890 BC	1st Dynasty kings are buried in the first royal tombs at Abydos. Monumental architecture indicates a new political order, with a state religion headed by a god-king.
Circa 2890 BC	Ascension of Hetepsekhemwy, first king of the 2nd Dynasty. The political and economic foundations of Egypt are solidified.
Circa 2890 - 2686 BC	Wooden coffins and corpses wrapped in resin become common in middle-status Egyptians. The use of resin and wood indicates increased trade with Lebanon.
Circa 2686 BC	*State-organized building projects drive Egyptian economic and social growth, marking the transition from the Early Dynastic to the Old Kingdom.*
Circa 2686 - 2648 BC	*The Step Pyramid at Saqqara, the first successfully completed large stone building project in the world, built during the reign of King Djoser.*
Circa 2613 - 2465 BC	Peak of pyramid design and construction, including King Khufu's Great Pyramid at Giza. The first was constructed for the Pharaoh Khufu, the second for his son Khafre, and the third and smallest, for his son Menkare. The Great Sphinx becomes part of the pyramid complex of King Khafra.
Circa 2494 - 2487 BC	King Userkaf builds temple for sun-god Ra at Abusir. Ra, giver of life, becomes Egyptian state god.
Circa 2375 - 2345 BC	*The Pyramid Texts, describing the god Osiris's kingdom of the dead, appear in the pyramid of King Unas. Osiris cult beliefs become widespread.*
Circa 2160 BC	Weakening of centralized government under King Pepy II (2278-2184 BC) and his successors ushers in fragmented social and political climate of the First Intermediate Period. Royal Residence moves from Memphis to Herakleopolis in northern Middle Egypt. Upper Egypt now controlled by Theban rulers.
Circa 2160 - 2040 BC	Despite political turmoil, popular culture flourishes, with mass consumption of funeral goods like cartonnages, brightly colored gypsum and linen funeral masks.