Final answer:
In around 2200 BCE, drier conditions in the Nile Valley likely led to political instability in Egypt, as the society heavily relied on the Nile's predictable flooding for maintaining agriculture, which was essential for both sustenance and the stability of the state.
Step-by-step explanation:
Around 2200 BCE, Egypt experienced drier conditions which led to a series of devastating effects on the Nile Valley. These conditions were likely to cause political instability (C), as evidenced by historical records and archaeological findings. The Egyptian civilization, deeply reliant on the Nile's regular floods for agriculture, faced significant challenges during periods of drought. When the river did not flood as expected, crop failure would have ensued, leading to shortages of food, economic hardship, and increased potential for social unrest and political upheaval.
As agriculture underpinned not only the food supply but also the economic and political structures of ancient Egypt, any significant change in the environment could have drastic implications. The fertility of the Nile Valley was crucial for Egypt's survival, with both its population and its great dynasties depending on this key natural resource for their prosperity and stability. Hence, drier conditions would not have led to increased fertility, economic prosperity, or technological advancements directly, but rather contributed to the strain on Egypt's elaborate bureaucratic system and possibly led to its periods of political fragmentation and decline.