King from the Protodynastic period, who is credited with being the first to unite the Two Lands of Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt. He (or his successor Aha) is sometimes identified with Menes, the mythical founder of Egypt. This is based on a number of jar seals found in Abydos on which both names appear. On the other hand, it is possible that the name of Menes (written Men) refers not to the king but to the keeper of the royal seal, called Meni. Narmer is mainly known from a limestone macehead and a ceremonial palette with his name in hieroglyphs. Both objects were found in Hierakonpolis, under the floor of an Old Kingdom temple. The palette (now in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo) is one of the most famous objects from the Protodynastic period. It shows Narmer destroying an enemy and in what may be a victory parade. The function of this type of palette is still under discussion. Not much more is known about the historical Narmer. He is assumed to have been buried at Umm el Qa'ab near Abydos.