Saqqara (or Sakkara) is the largest ancient site in Egypt and served as one of the cemeteries for Memphis, alongside Dahshur, Abu Rawash, Abu Sir, and Giza. It is home to the Step Pyramid of King Djoser and his complex, along with several other pyramids from the 5th and 6th dynasties, as well as numerous Mastabas from the Old Kingdom. Today, visitors can explore the Imhotep Museum, dedicated to the architect who designed Djoser’s Step Pyramid.
1. The step pyramid of king Djoser
Constructed nearly 4,700 years ago from limestone, the Step Pyramid was designed as the northern tomb for King Djoser, the founder of the 3rd Dynasty. The king commissioned his brilliant architect Imhotep to initiate the construction of the northern cemetery. Imhotep envisioned creating a mastaba for Djoser, which was the traditional tomb design of the Old Kingdom, characterized by a square structure built above ground. This design featured multiple chambers, with the burial chamber at its center, surrounded by various funeral chambers for the king’s burial items.
The pyramid was initially constructed as a mastaba, later transformed into a step mastaba by Imhotep, who innovatively stacked additional mastabas on each other. This marked the first use of limestone in tomb construction. Imhotep added five mastabas, each 10 meters high, creating a pyramid that reached 60 meters. King Djoser had two graves built for himself: the first was made of mud bricks at Biet Khalaf in Upper Egypt, and the second was the step pyramid at Saqqara.
The Djoser complex at Saqqara was designed to resemble the king’s royal palace in size, elements, and measurements, as the tomb was thought to serve as the king’s palace in the afterlife. Imhotep aimed to ensure that the king’s afterlife palace mirrored his earthly royal palace; however, recognizing that the original palace materials would not endure, he chose limestone for the new tomb in the north (the step pyramid complex).
The Saqqara complex features several key elements:
- Main Tomb: The step pyramid serves as the primary tomb.
- Enclosure Wall: Measuring 520 meters from north to south and 280 meters from east to west, the wall includes 14 gates—13 of which are false gates designed to mimic a palace, with one true entrance.
- Additional Tomb: Located to the south within the complex, this mastaba is dedicated to the king’s non-physical components, such as the spirit and guardian spirit.
- Houses for Officials: Two structures, known as the House of the North and the House of the South, were built to accommodate high officials, priests, and officers during the Heb-Set festival.
- Festival Building: This structure housed statues of the gods and facilitated the official ceremonies of the festival.
- Pyramid Entrance: The entrance to the step pyramid is located on the northern side.
- Serdab Room: A small chamber featuring a trapdoor and a life-size statue of King Djoser. The wall has two holes positioned to allow him to gaze at the northern star.
- Funeral Temple: constructed above the pyramid’s northern entrance.
- “B” Shapes: Two structures on the southern side of the pyramid are thought to represent the four corners of the universe, allowing the king to circle them during the Heb-Set festival. They also form an infinity symbol, signifying the king’s eternal reign over all people.
- Complex Entrance: Situated at the southeast corner of the enclosure wall, it leads into a corridor lined with 22 engaged columns that once housed statues of King Djoser and the god Soker—who is believed to be the guardian of the necropolis, from which Saqqara derives its name.
Saqqara photo gallery
