Saqqara & Step Pyramid Complex in Cairo ( B )

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Saqqara & Step Pyramid Complex in Cairo ( B )

Step pyramid complex in Saqqra 
The Step pyramid complex built by the king Net Jery Khet, known as Djoser or Zoser ( c.2700 B.C)
This is the largest known pyramidal funerary complex in Saqqara, It is considered the first large-scale stone construction in history and an important phase in construction of Royal tomb conception towards a full pyramid shape.The step pyramid is the first pyramid and the first large stone building in history, The complex is surrounded by an external 10 m high stone wall ( 540x280m) and includes ten architectural elements: The entry courtyard, the court of Columns composed of forty columns in two rows, the open courtyard, the 60m high step pyramid in the centre, which is the first ever pyramid built, the southern tomb , the house of south and house of north, the courtyard of the Heb Sed and its chales, the funerary temple and the shaft room.
The step pyramid was entered for the first time in 1821  by Heinrich Von Minutoli, The complex was initially excavated from 1924 to 1955, then the architect  Jean Philip Lauer- working for the Egyptian authorities carried out from 1926 t0 2001 systematic protection and conservation work, dedicating his life to the study architectural drawing, documentation and restoration of the funerary complex of Djoser in Saqqara.

The entrance colonnade of king Djoser'stomb
The long,narrow,entrance way into the mortuary precinct is lined by a double row of 20 half-columns, each 6.60m high and composed of drum-shaped segments. The columns are arranged in two groups separated by a transverse independent supports. However the illusion of independent columns was created by painting them in red ( The colour of the wood ) and the supporting walls in black ( the color of void ). The form of the columns was modeled on a bundle of plant stems probably imitating the ribs of palm fronds.
Saqqara step pyramid of king Djoser ( Netjerikhet ), wasn't built all at once, but in stages, A Square mastaba of about 63 meters, in side length and about 8.5 m in height was first built, then there was an addition of three meters of each side and another addition of nine meters on the east side, so as to link the building to eleven shafts belonging to king Zoser, the mastaba was later enlarged through the addition of four mastabas built atop one another, before reaching its current form of six mastabas.

Saqqara Step pyramid 
The step pyramid is not the only thing that You will see in Saqqara, But There are more things to see and do, Saqqara ticket enable you to see a big and very important part of Saqqara complex such as ( The step pyramid and Heb Sed building, Mastaba of Kagemni, Entry in Teti pyramid or in Imhotep museum ), but for other important places such as Serapium, Mereruca mastaba there is extra ticket.
The pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara marks an important transitory point in the history of pyramid building in ancient Egypt. Before this pyramid, the Pharaohs used to dig a hole into the ground, burry the deceased, and then construct one layer of limestone above it erecting what was called later on as the Mastaba Tomb. This is why many travelers who tour Egypt visit this important historical site.

The ingenuity of Imhotep was that he though of this great idea to build layers, or Mastaba, above each other’s in order to construct this first pyramid of ancient Egypt.  This was the first time that the usage of rocks and stones was recorded in the ancient history of Egypt as well. 

He never thought at this point in history that his pyramid would survive until today and become a major touristic attraction for travelers who visit Egypt.He would never thought as well that the Step Pyramid of Saqqara would be the most ancient surviving stone structure in the whole world today. 

Many sections of the Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara and its funerary complex was discovered in 1921 when the General German Consul in Egypt and the Italian architect; Segatto unearthed the entrance of the pyramid. The couple has also discovered all the internal corridors of the pyramids and the ruins of an ancient mummy inside that are thought to be belonging to Djoser.   

The Step Pyramid of Saqqara consists of six layers, or Mastaba, built one on the other. The pyramid is around 62 meters in height. The base of the pyramid is 109 X 125 meters and the whole structure was covered with white limestone but all this outer cast was removed with years passing by this magnificent structure. Many travelers who tour Egypt would love to explore such ancient monuments in the land of the Pharaohs. 

Imhotep did not only construct a pyramid, but he also built what is called a pyramid complex that consisted of a chapel to the North, a chapel to the South, and a funerary temple. This is besides an enclosure wall that was more than 500 meters in length and its height was more than 15 meters. However, everything in this wall was destroyed with time passing by except the main gate of the complex.

The funerary temple of the Step Pyramid of Saqqara consists of forty columns that are considered to be the most ancient in Egypt. They were constructed out of limestone and to enable the structure to challenge time Imhotep attached these columns to the main wall of the complex. 

After the guests spending their vacations in Egypt pass through the temple, they reach the Sothern open courtyard that used to host many sections and structures. However, the only remaining part today is one sanctuary.

The funerary temple, situated to the North of the pyramid, was where the funerary rituals used to take place. In the Eastern section of the complex, the cellar chamber was unearthed. This was where a life size statue of the king Djoser discovered. Today a replica of this statue is in the complex while the original statue was put on display in the Egyptian museum of antiquities in Cairo.

Away from the Step Pyramid, Saqqara has some other interesting sections to view. There is the tomb of Mererukawho was a Vizier in the reign of King Teti. The tomb entrance is in its Southern section that is featured with a scene of the deceased sitting in his official chair. In front of it, there is a portrait showing the four seasons of the year. The tomb is famous for the scene of the ancient Egyptians haunting hippos in the Nile Delta. 

In the Western section of the Saqqara necropolis, there is the Serapuem, that is the tombs of the sacred god Apis, the Ram god. This necropolis consists of underground chambers where the mummies of the Abis god were buried. This is considered to be a very important historical section in Saqqara. 

Another interesting pyramid in Saqqara is the Pyramid of Unas that was constructed by Unas, the last king of the 5th dynasty of ancient Egypt in the 23rd century BC. There are a large number of travelers who go on tours to Egypt who explore the ancient Egyptian monuments every day. 

The passages inscribed on the walls inside the pyramid of Unas were the first to be discovered in Egypt. Although the pyramid is a rubble of dust and sand today, it is still interesting to view some of the projects initiated in ancient Egypt and could not challenge history as others did.

Another interesting section to check out while in Saqqara is the Museum of Imhotep. Established in 2006, this museum is dedicated to the famous genus architect of ancient Egypt.  The museum consists of six halls with different displays of the king Djoser, some various archaeological findings that were discovered in Saqqara, and many other remarkable exhibits.
The royal pavilion of king  Djoser's tomb
The royal pavilion is situated directly east of the great courtyard of the step pyramid, it probably served as a resting place for the sovereign during the ceremonies associated with his jubilee, After passing a colonnaded hall, one reaches a small court surrounded by three small halls whose entrances were emphasized by a frieze of symbols of protection.
Roofs, like other parts of the precinct, were, for the first time, made of a succession of stone monoliths rounded at their bottom part and painted in red to imitate wooden logs

The south and North houses of king Zoser ( Djoser's Tomb) 
The two houses ( Beit El Ganoub - The southern house ) and ( Beit El Shamal - The northern house ) are situated near the northeast angle f the pyramid of king Zoser, and undoubtedly symbolize the south and north duality of the country, Here again, elder wooden buildings have been translated into stones. At the time of their discovery, some traces of magnificent polychromy still remained, This gave a surprising lightness to these rather massive monuments by making a strong contrast between the void and the filled spaces. This was achieved by emphasizing the pillars and roof in red and softening the base of the facades by imitating multicoloured hangings

Teti Pyramid Complex in Saqqara: ( No extra fees )
Dating back to the sixth dynasty ( around 2330 BC ), It consists of the pyramid, the mortuary temple, an an ascending passage and the valley temple.
In 1881, Gaston Maspero entered the pyramid of king Teti, where he discovered the burial chamber with walls on which are inscribed hieroglyphic texts known as ( The Pyramids texts ) These are religious texts with the purpose of helping the dead king towards resurrection and showing him how to join the sun god Ra in the sky.
The entrance of the pyramid is located on the north side,followed by a descending gallery leading to a hall, then to a horizontal corridor with three chambers: a hall in the middle, the burial chamber containing a basalt sarcophagus, and three small chambers used as stores.
The mortuary temple was used for religious rituals related to the king after his death and contains a Hall of columns, the ritual chamber ( The Holy of Holies ), the altar and a number of stores.
James E. Quibell ( between 1905-1907 ) and Cecil M Firth ( between 1920-1924 ) unearthed the Mortuary temple , and Jean-Philippe Laure and Jen Sainte Fare Garnot continued  the work in 1951 and 1952. The latest excavations took place from 1064 to1970
Tomb of Kagemni , The mastaba of Kagemni ( No Extra fees )
Tomb of Kagemni, vizier of king Teti, sixth Dynasty around ( 2330 BC )
The tombof Kagemni located just to the north of pyramid of king Teti, was discovered in 1843 by Karl Richard Lepsius. It consists of several chambers decorated with scenes of daily life, included scenes of dancing, hunting,poultry fattening, paying taxes, presentation of offerings and shrubs, Nile daily life, fishes, crocodiles and hypopotamus,  The decoration of one of the tomb's room is specially dedicated to the transportation of the seven sacred oils which are absolutely necessary for the resurrection ritual,and their presentation of Kagemni

Tomb of Mereruca ( Mastaba Of Mereruca ) ( Extra Fees )
The tomb of Mereruca, Vizier of king Teti from  the 6th dynasty ( around 2330 BC) , is one of the largest individual tombs and the most complete from the old kingdom in Saqqara, The tomb contains over 30 chambers, of which 21 are devoted to Mereruca, 5 to his wife Seshsechat and 5 for his son Merryteti, several chambers are decorated with inscriptions  and scenes, and other without decorations were used as stores.
In 1893, Jacques de Morgan discovered the well-preserved tomb and its chambers, adorned with various scenes of daily life including scenes of farming, huntig, fishing, jewelry manufacturing and depictions of royal everyday life. There is also a rare scene showing Merreruca in the role of senior judge delivering justice.
In 1920, the burial chamber of Mereruca was discovered at a depth of about 20 m where his mummy was found in huge limestone sarcophagus. This burial chamber of Mereruca is considered one of the most beautiful, most decorated and most fascinating burial chamber of senior officials in Saqqara.

Imhotep museum and the visual setting hall of Saqqara complex 

There is a visual setting hall in Saqqara exactly before the entry of Imhotep museum in Saqqara area, It is located outside the museum, Saqqara visitors usually spend about 10 minutes there to watch a movie about the complex, as the hall is for visual creation and it contains a small sample of the Saqqara Complex, a movie theater hall that presents the main points of the historical site of Saqqara complex and its step pyramid, The movie was narrated by Omar El Sherif
Imhotep museum in Saqqara Complex
Imhotep and the invention of stone architecture
Stone masonry, seen earlier only in isolated elements, was used n a monumental scale for the first time by Imhotep in the mortuary complex of king Djoser ( Zoser )( c.a. 2650 B.CE).
Both of ceremonial and religious buildings, Imhotep translated into stone , For the first time, the traditional wooden or mud-brick forms of the Early Dynastic Period. With the step pyramid itself, he transformed the simple mastaba into an ascending passage towards the Beyond: a revolutionary conception that would influence the entire history of Egyptian architecture.

What to see in Imhotep museum in Saqqara 
Offering Procession limestone 1550-1185 B.C
Part of a funerary procession that probably once decorated a tomb chapt, the two men here carry offerings to the deceased, The man in front bears papyrus and lotus plants; the second man holds canopic jars, vessels containing the tomb owner's mummified organs.

Macehead of king Teti ,Lime stone: Saqqara
Fitted onto wooden head, maces were used from Predynastic period on as a weapons, and were also important as symbols of Royal power, Several of the maceheads here are inscribed with the names of king  Teti and his phrase ( subduing the people of Senetju )

Pyramids Texts
From the reign of Unas on, the Royal burial suites of the Old kingdom were covered with pyramid Texts, a series of spells designed to usher the deceased king into the new world and ensure his eternal survival.
Copy of pyramids texts
The elegant Heiroglyphs here trace spells from the pyramid Texts, this copy was made in the Middle Kingdom, when private people used such texts to adorn their coffins.The Pyramids texts appeared in Egypt for the first time in 5th dynasty in Unas pyramid, That is why We did not find any texts inside Giza pyramids( 4th dynasty ) or Saqqara step pyramid ( 3rd dynasty ), the pyramid texts were inscribed on the pyramids walls the and sarcophagi which contains the deceased mummy during the 5th and 6th Dynasties

The blue fiance-tiles of king Djoser's symbolic palace
Deep beneath the pyramid of king Zoser ( Djoser)s a series of chambers and corridors representing the royal palace. The limestone walls here were ornamented with delicate tiles of blue and blue-green faience, inlaid in stone panels to imitate mats made of bound reeds. Similarly decorated chambers were found beneath the South Tomb. Several of the original faience tiles, attached to modern blocks, are reinstalled here.
In the center is a deep niche,  with a relief at the back that is finely carved with an image of the king visiting a sanctuary at Edfu

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