Ancient Egypt was a powerful civilization in Northeast Africa that flourished along the Nile River for over 3,000 years, from around 3100 B.C. to 30 B.C. It was known for its monumental architecture like pyramids and temples, hieroglyphic writing, advanced agriculture, and complex religious beliefs focused on the afterlife. The civilization’s history is typically divided into three major periods—the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms—separated by periods of instability.