1291-1917 CE - Mameluke/Ottoman Rule The Mamelukes, freed slaves of Turkish- Circassian origin come to power in Egypt in 1250 and extend their rule to other territories around the Middle East, including Palestine, which previously was under Egyptian domain. The conquest of Palestine by Turkish Ottoman rulers in 1517 precedes an initial period of development and growth, with the reconstruction of the wall around Jerusalem's Old City and new embellishments to the Dome of the Rock. In the latter years of the empire, however, decay sets in and the European great powers and churches begin to wield increased influence over Palestine, particularly in Jerusalem. About the Picture: A Bronze Lampholder from the Mameluke Period (15th Century), one of the finds from ancient wrecks off the Carmel Coast. 8000-4000 BCE 3000-1200 BCE 1700 1200-600 BCE 587-332 BCE 520 BCE 332-63 BCE 166 BCE 63-324 CE 6-3 BCE 66 CE 68 CE 132-135 CE 135-324 CE 324-638 CE 614 CE 638-1099 CE 1099-1291 CE 1291-1917 CE 1492 1517 1886 1918-1948 1948 1950-67 1968-1988 1974 1977 1982 1993 2000