Saqqara

On Saturday we went to visit an ancient burial site called Saqqara.  The oldest preserved building complex in the world is here, a pyramid and courtyard that are 4,660 years old!  There are many people buried at this site, but most of them were buried before pyramid building became popular.  Previously, rectangular mounds were built over the tombs of pharaohs.   At Saqqara you can see the beginnings of pyramid building.

Here is one very early example.  It used to be a pyramid but was mostly destroyed during an earthquake:

Nearby is newer almost-pyramid that also did not stand up to time:

The oldest pyramid to last to present day is the at the center of the site:

This is called the Step Pyramid and it is the tomb of the pharaoh Djoser, built by the architect Imhotep.  It began as just one level and was then expanded to include the six(ish) levels that you can see in the picture.  The pharaoh was buried 28 meters underground, and for that reason it isn't possible to go inside.  There isn't enough oxygen at that level anymore.   You can see scaffolding built to aid in restoration efforts.  There is also a patch of already-restored stone at the base of the pyramid. 

Extending out from the pyramid is a large courtyard used for ceremonies.   Here are the remains of one of the walls:

There is also a long entrance-way into the courtyard.  It is lined with columns made in the shape of bundles of papyrus.

We didn't get a good picture of the main gate leading into the complex, but here is one from the internet:

Although it wasn't planned this way, we are seeing the pyramids in this part of Egypt chronologically.   Next weekend we are hoping to go to Dashur, where the next oldest pyramids are located.