The Old Kingdom of ancient Egypt, spanning circa 2700–2200 BCE, is recognized as the "Age of the Pyramids" or the "Age of the Pyramid Builders." This era, particularly during the Fourth Dynasty, saw significant advancements in pyramid construction, led by notable kings such as Sneferu, Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, who were responsible for the iconic pyramids at Giza.^[11] This period marked Egypt's first peak of civilization and is the first of the three "Kingdom" periods, which include the Middle and New Kingdoms, highlighting the zeniths of civilization in the lower Nile Valley. ^[12]

The term "Old Kingdom," conceptualized in 1845 by German Egyptologist Baron von Bunsen,^[13] initially described one of three "golden ages" of Egyptian history. The distinction between the Early Dynastic Period and the Old Kingdom was primarily based on architectural evolution and its societal and economic impacts. The Old Kingdom, typically defined as the era from the Third to the Sixth Dynasty (2686–2181 BCE), is known for its monumental architecture, with most historical information derived from these structures and their inscriptions. The Memphite Seventh and Eighth Dynasties are also included by Egyptologists as part of the Old Kingdom.

This period was characterized by strong internal security and prosperity but was followed by the First Intermediate Period,^[14] a time of disunity and cultural decline. The concept of the Egyptian king as a living god,^[15] wielding absolute power, emerged during the Old Kingdom. King Djoser, the first king of the Third Dynasty, moved the royal capital to Memphis, initiating a new era of stone architecture, evidenced by the construction of the step pyramid by his architect, Imhotep. The Old Kingdom is particularly renowned for the numerous pyramids built as royal tombs during this time.