Zoser Step Pyramid Cairo Egypt tours, prices, booking, reviews
Zoser Step pyramid Cairo located at Sakkara necropolis. The pyramid also known as Djoser Pyramid. In fact, Zoser is the common name of Djoser or Netjerykhet. Sakkara is about 40 kilometer south of Cairo. Zoser Step pyramid Cairo constructed 470 years ago. Moreover, it is the first pyramid which built by ancient Egyptians. Zoser or Djoser was a king of Egypt’s third dynasty. The planning of the pyramid attributed to Imhotep. Furthermore, Imhotep was a vizier (minister) and he deified for his accomplishments. In fact, the step pyramid started off as a Mastaba tomb. Mastaba is a flat roofed structure with sloping sides. The pyramid is a series of expansions. They evolved into a 197-foot-high (60 meters) with six layers. One built on top of the other.
Moreover, Zoser Step pyramid Cairo constructed using 11.6 million cubic feet of stone and clay. The tunnels beneath the pyramid form a labyrinth about 3.5 miles (5.5 kilometers) long. In addition, the step pyramid is at the center of a complex. This complex is about 37 acres (15 hectares) in size. Furthermore, the complex surrounded by a recessed limestone wall. The wall contains 13 fake doorways. It is besides the real colonnade entrance on the southeast side. Additionally, a temple lies on the north side of the step pyramid along with a statue of the king. The statue surrounded by a small stone structure. It known as a Serdab. The statue eyes peeking out through a hole. To the south of the pyramid lies a great court. Furthermore, the court has an altar and stones identified as boundary markers.
Further details about Zoser Step Pyramid Cairo (Djoser Pyramid):
In fact, many of facade (dummy) buildings constructed in the complex. They include a series of chapels. The chapels are also in the southeast. It is in addition to and south pavilions on the east side of Zoser Step pyramid Cairo. These structures served ritual purposes. Moreover, they appear to partly buried by their builders. It noted also by Egyptologist Mark Lehner in his book “The Complete Pyramids”. Furthermore, there is also a court in the southeast side of the complex. It is next to the dummy chapels. In fact, this court allows the king to enact the Heb-Sed jubilee festival. It is presumably in the afterlife. At the southern end of the complex lies the enigmatic “south tomb” with a chapel. It also contains a series of tunnels that mimic those found beneath the pyramid itself. In fact, what buried there is a mystery.
King’s burial chamber of Zoser Step Pyramid Cairo (Djoser Pyramid):
Beneath the pyramid Cairo is a bewildering array of tunnels and chambers. The center is 28 meters deep. It also contains the burial chamber of king Djoser at its bottom. There was recent conservation work in the burial chamber. It reveals fragments of the king’s granite sarcophagus. The names of queens still legible. Moreover, eleven of the king’s daughters buried inside Zoser Step Pyramid. This what said by Egyptologist Zahi Hawass in 2009 video. Dr. Zahi is the former minister of state for antiquities. The vault decorated with limestone blocks containing five pointed stars. They creating a star filled ceiling. This decoration scrapped by its builders in favor of a simpler granite burial chamber. It also was for reasons unknown,
Tunnels and underground palace of Zoser Step Pyramid Cairo:
Two passages lead underground and branch off in three directions. They contain three magazine galleries and a special tunnel for food offerings. They also include an uncompleted chamber. However, this chamber maybe acted as an underground “palace” for the afterlife. There are also three false doors contain Stele. They show the king engaged in rituals. Moreover, the chamber decorated with thousands of blue faience tiles. They also imitate the reed matting found in the king’s real life palace in Memphis. This chamber beneath the pyramid hastily completed. Yet another tunnel, starting on the east side of the pyramid. It contains 40,000 stone vessels. Many of them belong to the king’s ancestors. Sarcophagi and human remains also found.
Modern day conservation of Zoser Step Pyramid Cairo (Djoser Pyramid):
In fact, the step pyramid is in a fragile state. Furthermore, without conservation work, the tunnels beneath the pyramid could collapse. It also said that the pyramid maybe goes in couple of decades. An Egyptian conservation effort began several years ago. CINTEC is a British engineering company. It called in to aid with efforts. They used giant airbags to hold up the pyramid’s roof. It is while permanent repairs to the structure of the pyramid carried out.
Zoser Step pyramid Cairo construction would see the beginning of an ambitious pyramid building program. Moreover, it would culminate with the Great Pyramids at Giza. In fact, Imhotep regarded as a sort of god. King Djoser (Netjerykhet) gave Imhotep a rare honor. Furthermore, he allowed his name and titles to carve on the base of one the king’s statues. It is what written by Marc Van in his book “A History of Ancient Egypt”. One of his titles is “chief of sculptors”. It is a phrase fitting for someone who designed the first Egyptian pyramid.
