The Pyramids Of Sakkara

The Pyramids Of Sakkara

Sakkara (sometimes called Saqqara) is one of Egypt's most extensive archaeological sites! It was the primary cemetery of the former capital of Egypt, Memphis. Yet, it is still one of the most unexplored archaeological sites despite the fantastic finds that have already been discovered. What else may be hidden on the site?
The site's most major feature is the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, which dates back to 2700 BC. It is one of the oldest stone structures in the world!
Sakkara is also the site of many tombs through the 1st and 2nd dynasties. Most are made of mud bricks, but some tombs are made of limestone and decorated with daily life scenes. The ancient artwork is genuinely remarkable. 

Sakkara is divided into two parts:

• Southern Sakkara, which the Step Pyramid dominates.
• Northern Sakkara, which is dominated by the Pyramid of King Titi and the mastaba tombs of the Old Kingdom.
• When conducting a visit to Sakkara, don't miss the following sites:
• The Step Pyramid of King Zoser and its surrounding complex
• The Pyramid of King Titi
• The tomb of Mereruka and the tomb of Kagimni
• The Mastaba tomb of Ti and the tomb of Ptah-Hotep

The Step Pyramid:

It was built for King Zoser, one of the most fabulous kings of the third dynasty (2721-2780 BC). Originally meant as a tomb, this Pyramid was designed and built by the great architect Imhotep. It was built as a step pyramid, 60m high, and consisted of 6 steps, each built on the other, gradually getting smaller as the steps ascended.
Today, it is considered one of the oldest stone structures built by man! It was the first time the Ancient Egyptians would attempt to use limestone! Zoser's Pyramid is made entirely of limestone, small bricks of limestone, and honestly, not of the best quality, and yet it has remained for more than 4700 years! It is simply mind-boggling!
The Pyramid's four sides are nearly aligned with the four cardinal points. On the northern side is the original entrance of the Pyramid. On the north-western side, you will notice a little room built with a gradient angle, similar to the Pyramid. In there was found a beautiful statue of King Zoser made of limestone. It was moved to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and replaced by a replica. The northern entrance is no longer safe and is closed to the public. Any people granted access to the Pyramid must use the second entrance, created back in the 26th dynasty, located on the southern side. I have frequently been allowed into this amazing Pyramid, working with TV crews that went around Sakkara with me. However, I needed special permission to do this.
If you go underneath the Pyramid, a strange feeling haunts you, especially when you remember you are exploring 4,700 years. As you descend, you see a maze of little corridors and tunnels! In some of these tunnels were more than 30,000 jars made out of various types of stone, such as alabaster, marble, diorite, and slate.
To the southern side of the Pyramid, you will find a burial shaft, located almost 28 meters deep, which is believed to be a symbolic tomb for the king, as kings of the first three dynasties used to build two tombs for themselves; one an actual grave and the other, a cenotaph (commemorative tomb). The Pyramid is surrounded by an impressive rectangular enclosure wall that measures 277m by 544m. It lies ruined chiefly today, but it was 10m high in its glory. You can still see parts of it today.
The entrance to the complex is in the wall's southeastern area, and most of what's through this door has been recently restored! At the end of the little hall is an illusion of two doors swinging open to welcome you in. The entrance leads you to an arcade consisting of 40 columns. Each column is attached to the wall behind. This style is called engaged columns, and they were built to ensure that the ceiling was supported and there was no danger of collapse. In between the columns, many small rooms were created; the rooms once contained statues representing King Zoser as ruler of Upper and Lower Egypt. The long hypostyle (supported by columns) hall leads to an open courtyard, which the king used to perform the rituals of the jubilee feast, called the Heb-Sed festival. One of the rituals performed by the kings of Ancient Egypt was to ensure they could rule the country for the next 30 years. Imhotep built a temple to the right of this open courtyard, known as the Heb-Sed Temple, so that the king could practice this ritual in the afterlife.
Behind the temple, and further north, are two buildings, one in front of the other; they are called the northern and southern houses, where the king is supposed to host the dignitaries who have come to attend the king's ritual in the temple. He recognizes him as a king of Upper and Lower Egypt.
Next to the Step Pyramid complex, on the southern side, you will see the ruined Pyramid of King Unas, which dates back to the end of the 5th dynasty. It was the first Pyramid where inscriptions were found to decorate the burial chamber walls! More than 700 incantations are supposed to help the dead king throughout the afterlife, known as the Pyramid Texts. The Unas Pyramid is now open to visit till noon daily after it has been closed for several years.