The Second Dynasty of ancient Egypt is the latter of the two dynasties of the Egyptian Archaic Period, when the seat of government was centred at Thinis. It is most known for its last ruler, Khasekhemwy, but is otherwise one of the most obscure periods in Egyptian history.
Statue of Khasekhemwy, Ashmolean Museum
Image: Cylinder Inscribed with a King's Name Egypt, Dynasty 2, reign of Hetepsekhemwy, c. 2800 2780 BC, bone Egypt Brooklyn Museum Brooklyn, NY DSC08700
Image: Statue nynetjer RMO
Image: Abydos KL 02 04 n 12
Early Dynastic Period (Egypt)
The Early Dynastic Period, also known as Archaic Period or the Thinite Period, is the era of ancient Egypt that immediately follows the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt in c. 3150 BC. It is generally taken to include the First Dynasty and the Second Dynasty, lasting from the end of the archaeological culture of Naqada III until c. 2686 BC, or the beginning of the Old Kingdom. With the First Dynasty, the Egyptian capital moved from Thinis to Memphis, with the unified land being ruled by an Egyptian god-king. In the south, Abydos remained the major centre of ancient Egyptian religion; the hallmarks of ancient Egyptian civilization, such as Egyptian art, Egyptian architecture, and many aspects of Egyptian religion, took shape during the Early Dynastic Period.
Limestone head of a king, its provenance is unknown and has no inscriptions (Petrie Museum, London)
A plate created during the Early Dynastic period of Ancient Egypt. It depicts a man on a boat alongside a hippopotamus and a crocodile
Damaged basalt head of a foreigner, from a door socket. Early Dynastic Period, 1st to 2nd Dynasties. From Thebes, Egypt.
