The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection of Pre-dynastic Egyptian Weapons and Tools spans from approximately 4400-3100 B.C., prior to the First Dynasty of Egypt. The corpus originates from several archaeological sites across Egypt, mainly Naqada, Abydos, and Hierakonpolis, providing a broad range of material culture from the Pre-dynastic period.
The collection comprises several weaponry artifacts, most notably flint knives and arrowheads. These items, essential for warfare and hunting, offer insight into the craftsmanship and technical ability of the period. The flint tools feature detailed knapping and are occasionally adorned with symbolic animal forms.
Included in the collection are numerous domestic tools intended for a variety of tasks such as harvesting, processing food, and producing crafts. These objects, including drills, scrapers, polishers, and grinding stones, are primarily made from flint and basalt, demonstrating early technological and societal advancements.
