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In the beginning of the Old Kingdom and from the political power and wealth that the Early Dynasty Period had secured had helped increase the centralization of government and the creation of an efficient administrative system within the Old Kingdom. The usage of god names which had identified the kings with their cultic gods had also changed throughout the Old Kingdom. It was with the last king of the Second Dynasty, King Khasekhem who had changed his name by combining both the god name Horus and Seth together giving him the new royal name King Khasekhemwy. The reason behind this change was based on a political move on the king's part. It was honoring himself for unifying Egypt and bringing down the rebellions that were causing the instability in Egypt. Burial remains, such has a statue that was found at Hierakonpolis depicts the King wearing the White Crown of Upper Egypt representing his victory over Northern Egypt. When King Nebka took the throne in 2686 BCE it was the beginning of the Third Kingdom and the beginning of the Old Kingdom. During King Nebka reign the Horus name returns and it isn't until the Fourth Dynasty that a new god name, "Son of Ra" is used for the Kings.

The beginning of the Old Kingdom showed remarkable advancement in architecture, technology and building methods which can still be observed today. It was King Djoser from the Third Dynasty who introduced Egypt with the first step pyramid. This pyramid was the first building to have been completely built of stone. The architect of the step pyramid was Imhotep, who was also known as the High Priest of Ra and the vizier of King Djoser. Imhotep's artistic architectural innovations and with the pyramids being the main image of the Old Kingdom they were also seen as a symbol indicating that Egypt was powerful and wealthy. The enormous size of the step pyramid complex clearly was an indication that Egypt was wealthy enough to maintain and feed a large work force. The step pyramid complex not only contained a religious purpose, but it also showed political power for King Djoser having control over both the Northern and Southern parts of Egypt. This can be seen in the House of the North and the House of the South buildings within the complex. Even King Djoser burial within the pyramid was symbolic to the control of the two lands of Upper and Lower Egypt.

During the end of the Third Dynasty we see a change in pyramid building. It is believed that the first square shaped pyramid, known as

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