Very little is known about Scorpion. He is only known from fragmentary evidence. A damaged macehead portrays him in an agrarian ritual, perhaps opening a canal. He is shown wearing the crown of Upper Egypt. It is not clear if he ever wore the red crown of Lower Egypt. This is due to the extensive damage to the macehead. The reverse side of the macehead has been obliterated.

Scorpion was buried in an extensive tomb in Abydos. It was a many roomed construct that had hundreds of wine jars in one or more of the rooms.

Narmer

The Striking Catfish

Narmer's rule has been better documented. This ruler is shown on an artifact called the Palette of Narmer. It is made of dark green slate and was designed to grind cosmetics. It shows Narmer on one side smiting an enemy with a mace. In this vignette is a hawklike figure subduing a figure with papyrus plants. Behind the ruler is a sandal bearer, perhaps a high court official. Narmer wears the white crown of Upper Egypt.

The reverse of this artifact shows two intertwined animals that appear to be feline. The upper portion shows Narmer inspecting the dead of his enemies. A bull that may represent the king is shown amongst a walled city in the lowest register. On this side of the palette Narmer wears the red crown of Lower Egypt.

It is not known if this is an indication of Narmer "unifying the Two Egypts" or that it just indicates a beginning. It may be reasonable to theorize that Narmer did unite Egypt as a single political entity. It has, however, been presented that Narmer's successor Hor-Aha was the man who unified Egypt. One thing is fairly certain is that Narmer did marry a northern woman of royal status to smooth the political process. The woman's name was Nithotep.

Narmer's burial was at Abydos not far from his ancestor Scorpion. Burials at this time were simple. They consisted of a mud-brick lining and a mound type covering.

A Drawing of Narmer by Winifred Brunton

Onto Dynasty 1

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