Saqqara
Location
About
Egypt's largest ancient burial ground, Saqqara stretches 7 km along the Nile's west bank south of Giza and contains pharaonic tombs from every major period of Egyptian history. Most famously it contains the Step Pyramid of Djoser (c.2650 BCE), designed by the architect Imhotep — the world's first large-scale stone structure. The Pyramid Texts in the pyramid of Unas (c.2400 BCE) are the oldest known religious texts inscribed on a monument.
Significance
Saqqara is the birthplace of stone monumental architecture — Imhotep's Step Pyramid for Djoser was the first structure ever built of dressed stone on a large scale, preceding the Giza pyramids by nearly a century. The Pyramid Texts inside the pyramid of Unas contain the oldest known corpus of religious literature in human history, including spells for the pharaoh's resurrection and ascent to the stars.
History & Historical Arc
Saqqara served as the necropolis for the ancient capital Memphis from the 1st Dynasty (3100 BCE). The Step Pyramid was b…
Archaeological Notes
Jean-Philippe Lauer's reconstruction work at the Step Pyramid complex (beginning 1926) revealed the vast funerary enclos…
Key Features & Structures
- Step Pyramid of Djoser (world's first stone monument)
- Pyramid Texts in pyramid of Unas
Visitor Information
Open daily. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Requires combined ticket with Memphis. Ongoing active excavations.
Related Figures
In the Bible
Source References
- Pyramid Texts of Unas (c.2375 BCE)
- Manetho, Aegyptiaca