Prehistoric and Predynastic Egypt, spanning from the earliest human settlement to around 3100 BCE, marks the transition to the Early Dynastic Period, initiated by the first Pharaoh, who is identified as Narmer by some Egyptologists and Hor-Aha by others, with Menes also being a possible name for one of these kings. The end of the Predynastic Egypt, traditionally dated from about 6200 BCE to 3000 BCE, aligns with the end of the Naqada III period. However, the exact end of this period is debated due to new archaeological findings suggesting a more gradual development, leading to the use of terms like "Protodynastic period," "Zero Dynasty," or "Dynasty 0".^[1]

The Predynastic period is categorized into cultural eras, named after locations where specific types of Egyptian settlements were first found. This period, including the Protodynastic era, is characterized by gradual development, and the distinct "cultures" identified are not separate entities but rather conceptual divisions aiding the study of this era.

Most Predynastic archaeological discoveries are in Upper Egypt. This is because the Nile River's silt was more heavily deposited in the Delta region, burying many Delta sites long before modern times.^[2]