7th and 8th Dynasties

The 7th and 8th Dynasties of Egypt were dynasties of the First Intermediate Period, officially based at Memphis. They followed the 6th Dynasty, and were followed by the 9th and 11th Dynasties. These dynasties lasted from 1579 to 1571 B.C., or 8 years. The occupants of this dynasty are largely unknown, and most of them were simply nomarchs of their respective regions (including Mentuhotep I and Khety I).

In the early 16th century B.C., the power of the 6th Dynasty was beginning to crumble with their aging pharaoh, Pepi II. Power began to decentralize around this time. At Pepi's death, chaos ensued, and dozens of kings clamored for the throne, all considering themselves pharaoh of Egypt. This was the rapid 7th Dynasty, and according to some sources, it lasted for as little as 70 days.

To maintain the peace, power was 'officially' centralized back in Memphis, though many nomarchs still acted autonomously. This was known as the 8th Dynasty. People began to look for more authoritative rulers, and the territory of the nomarchs Khety I and Mentuhotep I (later Intef I) rapidly expanded. In 1571 B.C., they officially declared themselves pharaoh of Egypt, ending the period of chaos. This began the 9th and 11th Dynasties.

The evidence for the revised history can be found at Displaced Dynasties. Evidence regarding these dynasties specifically can be found here.