Saqqara Step Pyramid of Djoser
Egyptian Temples & Tombs | April 2, 2010The Step Pyramid of Djoser (also spelled ‘Djozer’ or ‘Zoser’) is located in North Saqqara in Egypt. It is the oldest stone pyramid in Egypt (although Gisr el-mudir, the nearby enclosure is claimed to have been built before) and is a significant architectural marvel of ancient Egypt. The pyramid is the central feature of a big mortuary complex in an huge courtyard surrounded by ceremonial structures and decoration. The temple remains open for the tourists daily from 8 am to 4 pm. Extra charges are levied for photography and video recording.
History:
The Step Pyramid was built during the reign of the 3rd Dynasty (2649-2575 BC) by Imhotep, the architect of pharaoh Djoser in honour of the latter. Imhotep was later deified as the patron god of architects and doctors.
Djoser’s step pyramid was an absolute revolution in the prevalent pattern of pyramid building engineering. earlier, the pharaohs were buried in rectangular mastabas but Imhotep created a new style whereby six mastabas were stacked on top of each other. This particular architecture later gave way to building the evolve smooth-sided pyramids like the popular ones at Giza and elsewhere. People used to visit the pyramid from the time of the Middle Kingdom.
Features of Step Pyramid of Djoser:
- Originally after completion, the Step Pyramid of Djoser was 62metres high and had a base area of 16,520 square metres.
- The original entrance to the pyramid was from the northern side but today that entry has been blocked and visitors now enter the pyramid via a new tunnel from the southern face (Visitors require to get special permission from the site’s Antiquities Inspectorate to access the pyramid’s interior).
- Passageway and ladders lead to the pharaoh’s burial ground, located about 28 metres beneath ground.
- Djoser’s Step Pyramid is surrounded by a huge funerary complex, which has been partially reconstructed.
- Hypostyle hall and Great South Court flank the pyramid.
- One wall of the pyramid has a fresco of cobras (worshipped as a symbol of royalty).
- Remains of a small room called ‘Serdab’ are found near the northern face of the pyramid. A wall against the pyramid has two holes through which one gets glimpse of the replicated statute of Djoser
- Souther Tomb near the wall with cobra friezes.
Djoser:
Djoser was the first king of the 3rd Dynasty of the Egyptian Old Kingdom. He had ruled for 19 years during which his plan for building the pyramid was realized.
Saqqara:
Saqqara is both a village located about 32 km south of Cairo and an ancient necropolis located on the plateau in the Nile Valley, northwest of Memphis. The extensive site of Saqqara served as a major cemetery of ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis for a long period of time. It has tombs and pyramid structures dating to the Predynastic, Old Kingdom, New Kingdom and Late Periods of ancient Egyptian history.
Reaching:
Saqqara can be reached by taxi and bus from Cairo. However, one has to embark on a long walking journey to reach the plateau from the village.
Saqqara Attractions:
- Saqqara Necropolis
- Step Pyramid of Djoser
- Pyramid of Teti I and Teti Period Cemetery
- Tombs of Mereruka, Kagemni, Ankhmahor
- Unas Causeway
- Imhotep Museum
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he step pyramid (or proto-pyramid) is considered to be the earliest large-scale cut stone construction, although the nearby enclosure known as Gisr el-mudir would seem to predate the complex.
The oldest known uncut stone pyramid structure dates to 3000 BC in the city of Caral, Peru