Mounds discovered in this region indicate settlement during the Middle Kingdom, the Second Intermediate Period and the Ramissid periods of the New Kingdom.

A royal residence of the 19th and 20th Dynasties, Pi-ramesse was abandoned in the 21st Dynasty due to the Nile becoming drier in this region of the Delta. From here, many of the portable artifacts were removed at that time to Djan'net or to Per-Bastet.

The 1920's brought the first indication to modern eyes that New Kingdom royal settlements once thrived in this region.

Today's towns of Qantir, Samana, Ezbet Yasergi, Tell el-Dab'a, and Tell Abu Shafi'a cover portions of the territory that most likely once hosted this important royal city.

Pi'ramesse comprised a residential area, the Palace, various temples, a necropolis, and a garrison and a large stables; and, no doubt, the places where ordinary inhabitants performed the many "small" deeds to oil the necessary machinery of everyday life: weaving, cooking, embalming, and more.

19th Dynasty Kings (1293 - 1185 BCE):

• Ramesses I. Primary wife: Sitre.
• Seti I. Primary wife: Tuya. Moved the seat of government to Pi'ramesse. Military expeditions against Syria and Lybia.
• Ramesses II.Primary wives: Nefertari, Istnofret. Reigned 67 years. Military expeditions against Syria, Libya, Hittites, Nubia. Many building projects.
• Merenptah. Primary wives: Isisnofret, Takhat. Military expeditions against Syria, Libya, Nubia.
• Amenmesse. Primary wife: Baktwerel.
• Seti II. Primary wives: Takhat II, Twosret, Tiaa.
• Siptah. Young son of Seti II and Tiaa, for whom Twosret served as regent.
• Twosret (Queen). Husband: Seti II, above. She had a son, but he did not inherit, probably due to early death.

20th Dynasty Kings (1185 - 1070 BCE):

• Setnakhte. Primary wife: Tiy-merenese.
• Ramesses III. Primary wifes: Isis, Titi, Tiy. Military actions against the Sea Peoples, Libyans. Assasination attempt led by Tiy on behalf of her son and involving a large number of well-placed conspirators.
• Ramesses IV. Primary wife: Tentopet.
• Ramesses V. Primary wife: Nubkhesed. Civil war.
• Ramesses VI. Pullback from mid-eastern frontier.
• Ramesses VII. Internal unrest and economic decline.
• Ramesses VIII. Reigned about a year.
• Ramesses IX Reigned 18 years, with a focus on Delta affairs, allowing Upper Egypt to become relatively "detached".
• Ramesses X. Possible involvement in Nubia?
• Ramesses XI. A 28 year reign. Some concern with Nubia. Rebellion in Waset. Further decline economically. Towards the end of his reign, Herihor reigned at Waset.

Sources for Pi'ramesse:

• Clayton, Chronicles of the Pharaohs
  
• Baines & Malek, Cultural Atlas of Ancient Egypt
  
• [Tour Egypt] [Egyptian Monuments]