Pyramid of Djoser

The Pyramid of Djoser was built for the burial of Pharaoh Djoser by his Vizier Imhotep. It was constructed during the 27th century BC at the Saqqara necropolis to the northwest of the city of Memphis.

This first Egyptian pyramid consisted of six mastabas (of decreasing size) built atop one another in what were clearly revisions and developments of the original plan. The pyramid originally stood 62 meters tall and was clad in polished white limestone. The step pyramid (or proto-pyramid) is considered to be the earliest large-scale stone construction.

Pyramid Complex

Much of the decoration and construction of the structures within the pyramid complex, although built of stone, echo the appearance of earlier structures, which would have been built of wood, reeds or mud-brick. Whether this is due to artistic, symbolic or technological convention is unknown, although it is likely a combination of all three.

The complex surrounding the Step Pyramid consists of an outer wall, built in stone (some of which has been restored by Jean-Philipe Lauer), wrapping this, was a 'great trench', which was not continuous, but spiralled around overlapping at the south end. The wall was built to resemble woven mats, and decorated with niches. There are 15 doorways, only one of which is actually a real entrance. This massive enclosure seems to echo the massive mud-brick 'forts' of the First and Second dynasties at Abydos and Hierokonpolis.

The 'real' entrance consists of a colonnaded corridor which had a roof carved to imitate wooden logs. The actual entrance way is marked by 2 massive stone 'doors', carved in an open position.

Southern Tomb

The Southern Tomb is a near-duplicate of the underground structures under the pyramid, but without the above ground structures.

Great Court

Between the Southern Tomb and the Step Pyramid there is a large open area. Its true significance is unknown but it would seem to be have been associated with the ceremonies of kingship and may echo a similar area (still undiscovered) in the Royal residence in Memphis, in which the king would perform the same ceremonies.

The court is about 180 m by 100 m, and contained very few buildings or monuments.

Pyramid

Festival Complex

Mortuary Temple

External links

Professor Treat offers an on-line tour of this ancient site.
Location of the pyramid on Google Maps

References

Verner, Miroslav, The Pyramids - Their Archaeology and History, Atlantic Books, 2001, ISBN 1-84354-171-8

Memphis Necropolis | Ancient Egyptian pyramids

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