This book collects papers from various authors on Predynastic and Early Dynastic Egypt, covering archaeology, iconography, philology, lexicography, history, and history of research. The contributions provide insight into current research and offer new theories and observations on specific objects and aspects. This includes for instance neglected details of well-known objects, detailed discussion of forgotten objects, new interpretations of inscriptions, and analysis of hieroglyphic signs and their functions. (Contributions in English and German)

The numbering system for the Early Egyptian inscriptions, which was originally introduced by J. Kahl (1994) and which was expanded by I. Regulski in her Database of Early Dynastic inscriptions, is mapped on the numbering system defined by J. Kahl, N. Kloth and U. Zimmermann (1995) for the 3rd Dynasty inscription and on this of P. Kaplony (IAEF, IAEFS, KBIAEF). The numbering system has been expended to provide a unique identifier for each inscription that can be used as a reference in databases and printed publications. (German introduction.)