The Old Kingdom

The Old Kingdom began with Dynasty III, in 2686 B.C. and lasted until 2181 B.C. It included great kings such as Zoser. This was the time in which the pyramids were built.
During this period, the Egyptian civilization developed quickly. Its power increased through centralized government; technology improved; hieroglyphic writing advanced; and art progressed. Nothing else, however, compares with the great architectural achievements that we know as the pyramids.