Appendix J:  Key Characteristics of the Early Dynastic Period

Key characteristics of the First and Second Dynasties, which immediately preceded the Old Kingdom, are summarised briefly as follows:

• Transfer of the seat of power from Abydos to Memphis
• Elite as well as Royal burials, with the first High Official burials at Saqqara
• Underground chambers topped with Mastaba constructions
• Increased importance of administration and bureacracy
• An increase in seals, seal impressions and inscribed labels
• Bureacratic titles which appear to have been hereditary
• More vessels inscribed with ownership details
• Increased foreign contact
• Increased trade with Palestine
• Vessels (for their contents rather than for the vessels themselves)
• Wood
• Less contact with and influence from Mesopotamia
• Less Susian and other Mesopotamia iconography
• Loss of the rosette titulary
• Increased specialisation in arts and crafts, including statuary, carpentry, copper working, ivory working, and jewellery making. 
• Pottery was still very fine, but was no longer elaborate.  Iconography and symbolism were incorporated into other art forms.
• Increased standardisation and less innovation
• Improved and increased stone sculpture