The ancient Egyptians developed one of the most successful civilizations, inventing hieroglyphics, papyrus, and the calendar. They had a stratified social structure led by pharaohs and believed in an afterlife, practicing mummification. Some notable early figures were Menes, the first pharaoh who unified Egypt, and Imhotep, an architect who designed the step pyramid at Saqqara. Later, Hatshepsut ruled as the first female pharaoh.

1. Egypt The ancient Egyptians were one of the most successful, advanced, and monumental early river valley civilizations known to us today. Their achievements and revolutionary idea’s and concepts, from the pyramids, to the uniting of the lower and upper kingdom, paved the way for future civilizations to come.