Editing Ancient Egypt (section)

===Old Kingdom (2686–2181 BC)===
{{Main|Old Kingdom of Egypt}}
[[File:All_Gizah_Pyramids.jpg|thumb|The [[Giza pyramid complex|pyramids of Giza]] are among the most recognizable symbols of ancient Egyptian civilization.]]

Major advances in architecture, art, and technology were made during the [[Old Kingdom]], fueled by the increased [[agricultural productivity]] and resulting population growth, made possible by a well-developed central administration.{{sfnp|James|2005|p=40}} Some of ancient Egypt's crowning achievements, the [[Giza Necropolis|Giza pyramids]] and [[Great Sphinx of Giza|Great Sphinx]], were constructed during the Old Kingdom. Under the direction of the [[vizier (Ancient Egypt)|vizier]], state officials collected taxes, coordinated irrigation projects to improve [[crop yield]], and drafted peasants to work on construction projects.{{sfnp|Shaw|2003|pp=93–95}} 
[[File:Khafre statue.jpg|thumb|right|[[Khafre]] enthroned]]

With the rising importance of central administration in Egypt, a new class of educated scribes and officials arose who were granted estates by the king in payment for their services. Kings also made land grants to their mortuary cults and local [[Egyptian temple|temples]], to ensure that these institutions had the resources to worship the king after his death. Scholars believe that five centuries of these practices slowly eroded the economic vitality of Egypt, and that the economy could no longer afford to support a large centralized administration.{{sfnp|Shaw|2003|pp=104–107}} As the power of the kings diminished, regional governors called [[nomarch]]s began to challenge the supremacy of the office of king. This, coupled with [[4.2 kiloyear event|severe droughts]] between 2200 and 2150{{nbsp}}BC,{{sfnp|Hassan|2011}} is believed to have caused the country to enter the 140-year period of famine and strife known as the First Intermediate Period.{{sfnp|Clayton|1994|p=69}}