The history of ancient Egypt is divided into 3 main periods: the Old Kingdom (about 2700-2200 B.C.E.), the Middle Kingdom (2050-1800 B.C.E.), an the New Kingdom (about 1559-1100 B.C.E.). The New Kingdom was followed by a period called the Late New Kingdom which lasted to about 343 B.C.E.
The Minoan Civilization, based on the island of Crete, is largely acknowledged as having three major periods of civilization. They are the Early Minoan, Middle Minoan, and Late Minoan Periods. First "discovered" by Arthur Evans, it is my understanding the styles of pottery differentiate between the periods of civilization.
