The Egyptian civilization began in 3150 BC with the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh. Its history is that of a series of stable kingdoms, separated by some less stable periods. The success of the ancient Egyptian civilization came partly from its ability to adapt to the conditions of the Nile River valley for agriculture. The predictable flooding and controlled irrigation of the fertile valley produced surplus crops, which supported a more dense population, and social development and culture. With spare resources, the administration sponsored mineral exploitation...