Old Kingdom

American  

noun

1. the period in the history of ancient Egypt, 2780–2280 b.c., comprising the 3rd to 6th dynasties, characterized by the predominance of Memphis.

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Old Kingdom British  

noun

1. a period of Egyptian history: usually considered to extend from the third to the sixth dynasty (?2700–?2150 _bc )

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Etymology

Origin of Old Kingdom

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Texts from the Old Kingdom describe the creator god appearing as a mound of high ground emerging from surrounding waters referred to as 'the lake'.

From Science Daily • Jan. 4, 2026

Then I spent five years writing a book about catastrophes and cataclysms over the course of human history, from the climate change–fueled collapse of Old Kingdom Egypt to the Black Death.

From Slate • May 14, 2025

The monumental tombs are relics of Egypt's Old Kingdom era and were constructed some 4,500 years ago.

From National Geographic • Dec. 20, 2023

The tombs, meanwhile, were for a top official from the Old Kingdom of ancient Egypt, and a priest from the New Kingdom, according to Sabri Farag, head of the Saqqara archaeological site.

From Washington Times • May 27, 2023

The Old Kingdom forms the first major division after that, ending about 2155 B.C. with the overthrow of the Sixth Dynasty.

From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson