Saqqara. The Pyramid of Djoser.

- SAQQARA -

The architectural Features of the external structure of the Pyramid of Djoser, as well as it's Burial Complex of Djoser, were highlighted in our expedition report "Egypt. December-2012". The architecture of the interior of the Pyramid was first offered to our readers in March 2013, upon the return of the expedition "Egypt. March-2013".

One of the tasks of the expedition "Egypt. November-December 2013" was to clarify some details of both the external and internal structures of the Pyramid.

Interior.

The Southern Corridor, cut in the bedrock of the limestone plateau, leads to the Shaft, above which the Pyramid is built.

Before approaching the Shaft, which is equipped with the modern scaffolding, one can easily see the geological layers of a dense and homogeneous limestone base, as well as the level of junction of the bedrock, which hides the oldest part of the underground structure, with the first rows of the foundation masonry.

Climbing up the scaffolding to the dome above the Shaft, one can see the ancient logs used by the Pyramid builders to strengthen the stone structure during the construction of the Pyramid. Logs, inserted into the limestone masonry, which in some places hung in the air for about 4600 years, completely lost their original strength. Only due to the restoration work, carried out by the French mission, the vault of the ceiling above the shaft is now reinforced with cement and anchors. The logs, while restoration works are going on are protected from accidental damage with a special wrapping paper.

Descent down the Shaft.

While descending into the 28-meter Shaft, we observed many tunnels and niches in its walls. They were located at different levels, and had different stages of incompleteness and preservation.

Djoser Sarcophagus.

At the bottom of the Shaft the Sarcophagus of King Djoser is located. It's lid consists of 11 basalt sleepers. From its very edge, several sleepers are damaged. The hole formed in the sleepers is blocked by the so-called "cork", which, according to information from Wikipedia , gives it a certain similarity with dolmens. However, due to the nature of the destruction of the sleepers and the plug itself, there is an assumption that the block simply fell from the roof above the Shaft.

Features of the external structure of the Pyramid.

Northern Entrance.

General view and Eastern part.

Northeast corner (first 2 photos of the first row). Northwest corner (3, 4 photos of the first row).

Western face of the Pyramid.

Let's take a look at the northwest corner. Excavations carried out by the archaeologists from the western face of the Pyramid of Djoser showed that the Pyramid originally had 7 steps. Numerous restoration works done in antiquity hid from us the missing step at the very base of the Pyramid.

The northern entrance to the Western Galleries is completely covered with sand.

The Djoser Pyramid Complex is a complex engineering structure, most of which is hidden under the rocky base of the Saqqara plateau. Archaeological work of various missions is carried out here constantly. We wish good luck to the scientists, historians and archaeologists, who are working there to show the World its historical heritage. After all, the sands of time has taken away too much from us ...

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