Zoser, aka Step Pyramid of Djoser, Sakkara, Egypt
The Step Pyramid of Zoser, Sakkara, Egypt
The necropolis of Sakkara which stretches for 6-miles is the largest in all of the country of Egypt. In the middle of the necropolis, the funerary complex of Zoser is located. Also, other pyramids, mastabas from different eras are located. The entire area is highly dominated by the huge step pyramid of Zoser. A mastaba in the Arabic language means “a bench”. It used to be used as a burial chamber for the nobility, dignitaries, and it used to be built in a rectangular shape with inclined walls. The funerary complex was built by Imhotep. What Imhotep the architect did was, built a large mastaba, then over it he built a pyramid with four large steps. The pyramid in its final form has six massive steps on the west part of the mastaba. Centuries later the Sumerians perfected this type of construction. On one of the pyramid sides, still stands what is called, the South House, two fluted columns framing surmounted doorway bearing sacred knots.
Step Pyramid of Zoser, Sakkara, Egypt
To the south of the step pyramid is the pyramid of Unas, the last pharaoh from the fifth dynasty, it’s relatively small in size, less than 400-square feet. It was damaged around 2000 B.C. and it is interesting due to the Pyramid text that is located there. The pyramid also contains several hieroglyphs writings and paintings on all walls of the structure.
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The Sakkara necropolis contains several number of mastabas, some of which are well well known for their beauty, fine detail and quality decoration. Some of those mastabas are, the Nebet mastaba dating back to the end of the 5th dynasty, it has amazing style decorations that still holds. Next is the Visir Unefert’s mastaba from the 6th dynasty, the walls depict an old man, it has ten rooms, but only five has finished decorations.
The mastaba of Ti, could perhaps be the most beautiful of the collection, it was finished in 2600 B.C. when King Cheops was preparing to build his great pyramid. Ti , the husband of the princess Nefrhotep, lived during the Vth dynasty. The bas-reliefs in the mastaba, are designated to be some of the beautiful examples from the period of the Old Kingdom both because of the high level of artistic work achieved, with plenty of women in a procession carrying baskets over their heads.
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