This work is intended to be a definitive study of the period that witnessed the introduction and formative development of later historic ancient Egyptian society: effective farming and herding, metallurgy, pottery making, shaping of hard stones by grinding, ceremonial architecture, elaborate burials, effective river-going sailing craft, long-distance trade, and stratified political and social systems. The use of river terraces to date palaeolithic tools is explained; its limited application is cited. The difficulty of distinguishing eoliths from flaked tools is indicated. The technologies of the various cultures are described in depth. -- AATA