5,000-Year-Old Rock Carving Is Among the Oldest Known Depictions of an Ancient Egyptian Ruler
An ancient rock engraving in the Lower Nile Valley may offer a rare glimpse into the origin of Egyptian kings. The art panel depicts an elite individual with features resembling those of early Egyptian rulers, from the very beginning of political unification across Egypt. Around 6,000 years ago, Egypt underwent a dramatic political transformation, ultimately leading to the formation of the Egyptian state under the first pharaoh, Narmer, around 3100 BCE. Researchers still know relatively little