Of these systems the one proposed by the late Dr. H. Brugsch (No. 5) agrees best with the general evidence of the monuments as to the length of the period of Dynastic civilization; it is therefore used, with some modification of the dates of the XVIIIth dynasty, in this book. It has been declared that the intervals which he placed between the VIth and the XIIth, and the XIIth and the XVIIIth dynasties are too long, but, on the other hand, many objections can be urged against the reductions recently suggested. It is proposed to reduce the date given by Brugsch for Menes, B.C. 4400, to B.C. 3315; but there is no evidence in support of the reduction. The view has been steadily growing for years that some of the dates proposed by Brugsch for the kings of the XVIIIth dynasty must be reduced, and as this view is supported by the evidence derived from the recently published Babylonian Chronicles, and the general testimony of recently excavated monuments, the dates of the reigns of the early kings of that dynasty may well be brought down nearly one hundred years. The other evidence on the point, being of an astronomical character, can only be dealt with by experts. Egyptian chronology is a difficult subject, chiefly because of an insufficiency of facts about the reigns of the kings of the VIIth-XIth, and the XIIIth-XVIIth dynasties. Every year, however, witnesses the removal of a certain number of difficulties, and as long as excavations are made in Egypt a steady increase in the knowledge of the subject may reasonably be hoped for. CHAPTER X. THE HISTORY OF EGYPT. Palaeolithic Period. The only remains of this Period in the British Museum are =flint axes=, borers, scrapers, etc., typical examples of which are exhibited in Table-case M in the Third Egyptian Room. Neolithic Period. Towards the end of this Period Egypt was divided into =two kingdoms=, of the South and of the North; of the kings of the latter a few names are known from the Palermo Stele, _e.g._, =Seka=, =Khaȧu=, =Tȧu=, =Thesh Neheb=, =Uatch-nār= or =Uatch-ȧnt=, =Mekha=, etc. No date can be assigned to the rule of these kings, but they probably all reigned before B.C. 4500. Whilst Egypt was divided into two kingdoms the country was invaded, probably more than once, by a people who made their way thither from the East, or South-East, and settled as conquerors in the Nile Valley and Delta. They brought with them a civilization superior to the African, and appear to have introduced wheat, barley, the sheep, the art of writing, a superior kind of brickmaking, etc. After a time, length unknown, there arose a king who succeeded in uniting the Kingdoms of the North and South under his sway; that king was =Menȧ= or =Menes=. DYNASTIC PERIOD—ANCIENT EMPIRE. First Dynasty. From the city of This. _About_ B.C. 4400.