There are many scientific debates on the first recorded occurance of a "true" reanimated state resulting in the form of zombies. Many sites have been found that display acts of devouring human flesh, but as canabalism has been practiced throughout time it is hard to determine for sure. The only true way to know whether it was in fact a Zombie is to test whether or not any traces of the Solanum virus can be found. In order for that test to take place a well preserved specimen is needed, and those can be hard to come by. Fortunately for the sake of science the Egyptians perfected the art of mummification. The following is often heralded as the oldest factual zombie occurance to date.  
3000 B.C., HIERACONPOLIS, EGYPT
A British dig in 1892 unearthed a nondescript tomb. No clues could be found to reveal who the person who occupied it was or anything about his place in society. The body was found outside the open crypt, curled up in a corner and only partially decomposed. Thousands of scratch marks adorned every surface inside of the tomb, as if the corpse had tried to claw its way out. Forensic experts have revealed that the scratches were made over aperiod of several years! The body itself had several bite marks on the right radius. The teeth match those of a human. A full autopsy revealed that the dried, partially decomposed brain not only matched those infected by Solanum (the frontal lobe was completely melted away) but also contained trace elements of the virus itself. Debate now rages as to whether or not this case prompted late Egyptian specialists to remove the brains from their mummies.