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First Pyramid

 


First Pyramid – Step Pyramid of Djoser (c. 2630 BCE)

  1. Who Built It?

    • Commissioned by Pharaoh Djoser, ruler of Egypt’s Third Dynasty.

    • Designed by Imhotep, the first recorded architect and engineer in history.

  2. Where and When?

    • Located in Saqqara, near Memphis, Egypt.

    • Built around 2630 BCE, during the Old Kingdom period.

  3. What Was It?

    • The first pyramid ever built in Egypt.

    • A stepped structure made of six stacked mastabas (flat-roofed rectangular structures).

    • Height: Originally 62 meters (203 feet), making it the tallest structure of its time.

  4. Why Was It Built?

    • Served as a tomb for Pharaoh Djoser.

    • Believed to help the pharaoh’s soul ascend to the afterlife.

    • Marked a shift from traditional mudbrick tombs to stone monuments.

  5. Construction Details

    • Made of limestone blocks.

    • First large-scale stone-cut structure in history.

    • Built in six stages, gradually expanding upwards.

  6. Complex Surrounding the Pyramid

    • The pyramid was part of a vast mortuary complex covering 37 acres.

    • Included temples, courtyards, shrines, and chapels.

    • Surrounded by a 10.5-meter (34-foot) high limestone wall with 14 fake doors.

  7. Architectural Innovation

    • First time stone columns were used in Egyptian architecture.

    • Inspired later smooth-sided pyramids, like the Great Pyramid of Giza.

    • Set the foundation for all future pyramid construction.

  8. Burial Chamber and Interior

    • The burial chamber was made of granite and located underground.

    • Connected by a maze of tunnels to deter tomb robbers.

    • 40,000 stone vessels were found inside, along with Djoser’s mummified remains.

  9. Impact on Future Pyramids

    • Later pharaohs refined the design, leading to the construction of the Bent Pyramid and the Great Pyramid of Giza.

    • Transitioned Egyptian tombs from step pyramids to smooth-sided pyramids.

  10. Restoration and Modern Status

  • The pyramid suffered damage over millennia, but restoration efforts were completed in 2020.

  • Today, it stands as one of the oldest surviving stone structures in the world.

  • Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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