Saqqara and the Step Pyramid of Djoser - Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur
Gouvernement al-Dschiza, Egypt
22.10.2023
Sakkara and the Step Pyramid of Djoser - A Marvel of Ancient Egypt
Located in the Giza Governorate of Egypt, Sakkara is a vast archaeological site that is home to numerous ancient monuments, including the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must-visit for anyone interested in ancient civilizations and their architectural achievements.
The most notable structure at Sakkara is the Step Pyramid of Djoser, which was built around 2630 BC during the Third Dynasty of Egypt. It is the oldest pyramid in Egypt and is considered to be the first monumental stone structure in the world. The pyramid was designed by the famous architect Imhotep, who was also a high priest and advisor to Pharaoh Djoser.
The Step Pyramid of Djoser is an architectural wonder, standing at 62 meters tall and consisting of six stacked layers of stone. It was originally built as a mastaba, a flat-roofed rectangular tomb, but was later expanded into a step pyramid by adding layers on top. This structure served as the final resting place for Pharaoh Djoser and was surrounded by a complex of temples and other tombs.
The complex at Sakkara also includes several other important monuments, such as the Pyramid of Userkaf, the Pyramid of Teti, and the Pyramid of Unas. These structures were built for other pharaohs of the Fifth and Sixth Dynasties and showcase the evolution of pyramid construction in ancient Egypt.
Aside from the pyramids, Sakkara is also home to the Serapeum, an underground complex of galleries and chambers that served as the burial place for the sacred Apis bulls. These massive animals were worshipped as manifestations of the god Ptah and were mummified and entombed in the Serapeum with great ceremony.
Visitors to Sakkara can also explore the ruins of the ancient city of Memphis, which was once the capital of Egypt and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right. The city was founded around 3100 BC and was a cultural and political center for thousands of years, until it was eventually abandoned in the medieval period.
Sakkara and the Step Pyramid of Djoser provide a fascinating glimpse into the advanced architectural techniques and religious beliefs of ancient Egypt. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a testament to the enduring legacy of this great civilization and is a must-visit for anyone interested in history and culture.
Weiterführende Links:
- Sakkara: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saqqara
- Pharaoh Djoser: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djoser
- Imhotep: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imhotep
The capital of the Old Kingdom of Egypt has some extraordinary funerary monuments, including rock tombs, ornate mastabas, temples and pyramids. In ancient times, the site was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
The pyramid of Djoser, sometimes called the Step Pyramid of Djoser, is an archaeological site in the Saqqara necropolis, Egypt, northwest of the ruins of Memphis. It is the first pyramid to be built. The 6-tier, 4-sided structure is the earliest colossal stone building in Egypt. It was built in the 27th century BC during the Third Dynasty for the burial of Pharaoh Djoser. The pyramid is the central feature of a vast mortuary complex in an enormous courtyard surrounded by ceremonial structures and decoration.
The pyramid went through several revisions and redevelopments of the original plan. The pyramid originally stood 62.5 m (205 ft) tall, with a base of 109 m × 121 m (358 ft × 397 ft) and was clad in polished white limestone. The step pyramid (or proto-pyramid) was considered to be the earliest large-scale cut stone construction made by man as of 1997, although the nearby enclosure wall "Gisr el-Mudir" is suggested by some Egyptologists to predate the complex, and the South American pyramids at Caral are contemporary.
In March 2020, the pyramid was reopened for visitors after a 14-year restoration.
The Memphite Necropolis (or Pyramid Fields) is a series of ancient Egyptian funerary complexes occupying a 30-kilometer (19 mi) stretch on the Western Desert plateau in the vicinity of the ancient capital of Memphis, Lower Egypt, today in Giza, Egypt. It includes the pyramid complexes of Giza, Abusir, Saqqara and Dahshur, and is listed as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Memphis and its Necropolis. Most of the pyramids of the Old Kingdom were built here, along with many mastabas and other tombs.
