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In photos: Oldest images of a pharaoh
Nag el-Hamdulab
The plain of Nag el-Hamdulab, desert site of a series of rock carvings that seem to show Egypt's first pharaoh.
Read more: Oldest pharaoh carvings discovered in Egypt
Site 7 Carvings
Site 7 at Nag el-Hamdurab is the most elaborate carving, showing a white-crowned king travelling with a flotilla of five boats.
Boat Carvings
The Site 7 carving has been recently damaged, but the sickle-shaped boats can be seen.
Animal Carvings
A damaged carving of a group of animals. The two undamaged animals on the right are unknown, but may represent some sort of mythical creatures.
Ancient Etchings
Carvings at the second site in the area, seen etched into the tilted slab in the center.
The King's Boat
Look closely -- standing on the top of this boat is a crowned figure who may represent Narmer, the first pharaoh to rule unified Egypt. Oarsmen propel the boat along.
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Boat Carvings
This carving, damaged by modern vandals, shows a two-cabined boat, possibly flanked by prisoners and bowmen.
Boat and Prisoners
A boat with three male figures, probably prisoners, standing to the right.
Herding Cattle
This image shows cattle being herded by humans. A dog perches on the back of one cow.
Dog on Cow
A dog perches on the back of a cow, with a stick-wielding herder behind.
Read more: Oldest pharaoh carvings discovered in Egypt
Stephanie Pappas is a contributing writer for Live Science, covering topics ranging from geoscience to archaeology to the human brain and behavior. She was previously a senior writer for Live Science but is now a freelancer based in Denver, Colorado, and regularly contributes to Scientific American and The Monitor, the monthly magazine of the American Psychological Association. Stephanie received a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of South Carolina and a graduate certificate in science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz.