3200 B.C.
First cities begin to develop in Mesopotamia
Invention of Writing: cuneiform tablets
3100 B.C.
Narmer and immediate successors unite and consolidate Upper and Lower Egypt: event commemorated in Narmer tablet
Mastaba Tombs
2650 B.C.
Step Pyramid built by Imhotep for Pharaoh Zoser at Saqqara, Egypt
2600-2400 B.C.
Royal tombs at Ur: ram caught in thicket; lyre with bull's head soundbox; "standard" of Ur
First true pyramid built for pharaoh Sneferu at Dashur, Egypt
Pyramids, including Great Pyramid built for Pharaoh Khufu at Giza
Great Sphinx at Giza
Statuettes from Abu Temple at Tell Asmar
Earliest tablets recording Gilgamesh Epic in Mesopotamia
2400-2000 B.C.
Empire of Sargon of Akkad; Copper head of Sargon; Stele of Naram Sin
Statues of Gudea of Lagash
Great Ziggarut of Ur
Middle Kingdom in Egypt: Portrait of Sesotris III
2000-1200 B.C.
New Kingdom in Egypt: Royal mummies; Colossal statues of Amenhotep III (Colossi of Memnon); Treasures of Tutankhamen; Temple of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel
Hebrew Exodus
Babylonian Empire of Hammurabi: Code of Hammurabi
Minoan Civilization on Crete, Thera; Palace of Knossos; Bull-leaping fresco
1200-800 B.C.
Period of David and Solomon in Israel
Composition of Pentateuch (Torah)
Building of First Temple in Jerusalem by Solomon
Mycenaean Civilization in Greece; Lion Gate at Mycenae "Mask of Agamemnon"
Time of Trojan War
