Saqqara: An Overview
While the historic necroplis of Saqqara has been known for thousands of years to be the burial site of the old capital, Memphis; the vast number of tombs and burial sites hidden at Saqqara only recently became known.
Due to recent discoveries by Egyptian antiquities, 100+ intact and decorated coffins with well-preserved mummies on the inside were found. Additional findings included ancient masks and statues of past royalty.
Saqqara has always been known for its rich history, and it isn’t because of the recent findings. In this article, we’ll uncover Saqqara’s deep-rooted history in summary…
Saqqara is a small but significant 5-mile strip of land located just outside Cairo on the West Nile. You can’t miss it when passing through, for it’s littered with stone-built pyramids, several of them acting as tombs of past pharaohs.
A historical site, to say the least, and deemed a World Heritage Site in 1979, Saqqara is home to some of the richest ancient artifacts known to mankind. Saqqara is home to Egypt’s oldest pyramid, a 4700-year-old monument known as the Step Pyramid, or Pyramid of Djoser. In fact, the Pyramid of Djoser happens to be the oldest completed stone complex in history. Not too far behind is the more famous Pyramid of Giza…
The Pyramid of Djoser
Otherwise known as the step pyramid, the Pyramid of Djoser is a famous archaeology site that was built in the 27th century BC for the burial and honor of Pharaoh Djoser. The purpose of the pyramids wasn’t just to celebrate life, but to act as a function of the afterlife for the kings who were buried there — the pyramid of Djoser is no different.
Today, the pyramid of Djoser is a popular site for many tourists and locals alike. Not only is it believed to be the first Pyramid, but also one of the first monuments constructed from stone.
If you’re looking to add an unforgettable highlight to your trek through Saqqara, the pyramid of Djoser is it!
Final Thoughts
While historians always knew the rich significance of Saqqara as a burial site to the first Egyptian capital, Memphis the complexity of its use and contents have only recently come to light.
Findings of mummified animals (lion cubs, birds, etc) have been nothing short of jaw-dropping. While the history of Saqqara lives on, it’s simply too detailed to share in this short article.
Nevertheless, if this overview has done anything to inspire the history buff in you, Egypt is an incredible place to visit. To learn more or to book your destination trip, visit: https://circulatetravel.com to book!