Overview:

Saqqara Necropolis is an archaeological site located in the ancient city of Saqqara, a few miles south of Cairo. The site includes several pyramids and tombs of pharaohs, including the Step Pyramid of Djoser, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also the burial site of courtiers, high ranking priests and influential officials. Along with the Giza Necropolis, Saqqara is the most renowned necropolis in Egypt. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Egypt
Prominent Features:

1. Step Pyramid of Djoser: This is the oldest of the Egyptian pyramids and oldest existing stone structure in the world built during the Third Dynasty. 2. Imhotep Museum: This museum is dedicated to the life and work of the great doctor and architect Imhotep who was responsible for the design of the Step Pyramid. 3. Abusir Necropolis: This is a necropolis of vast dimension, which is considered one of the most important in Egypt as it holds the finest examples of the 5th and 6th Dynasties, with dozens of pyramids, tombs and temples that date back two and a half millennia. 4. Beni Hassan: This site consists of rock-cut tombs from the Middle Kingdom that offer insight into the life of Ancient Egypt. 5. Pyramid of Teti: This is the last Pyramid built in Saqqara, and it is located in the northern part of the necropolis. It was constructed in the 6th Dynasty, and it is a good example of the similarities between the Step Pyramid and the later Pyramids. 6. Serapeum: This complex consists of a series of tunnels, burial chambers and galleries, all with great works of art and temples dedicated to god Apis. 7. North Saqqara: This part of the necropolis boasts a series of ancient monuments, some of which date back to the Old Kingdom, and visitors have the chance to explore the tombs of Several officials and noblemen of the 5th and 6th Dynasties. 8. Dome of the Crow: This ancient structure dates back to the 3rd Century BC, and it is said to have been used as a palace by Nectanebo I, though today only ruins remain. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Egypt.

History:

The Saqqara Necropolis is located in the last few miles of the Nile Valley, south of modern Cairo, Egypt. It is one of the oldest and most important archaeological sites in the world, as it is the largest and most ancient burial ground in Egypt. Its history dates back to the First Dynasty of the Old Kingdom (2800-2600bc). It includes the ruins of the Step Pyramid of Djoser, numerous other graves, and the Later Pyramids of the dynasties of the Middle Kingdom (c.2050-1700bc) and the Early New Kingdom (c.1600-1000bc). The complex was first established by King Djoser and his royal architect, Imhotep, around the year 2600 BC. This marked the beginning of Egypt’s Old Kingdom. Djoser’s Step Pyramid, which is believed to have taken twenty years to build, was the first pyramid ever constructed in Egypt. The site was then developed further by successive pharaohs, with a series of pyramids, temples, and tombs being built over the centuries. During the Middle Kingdom, the Saqqara Necropolis was home to the pyramids of Teti, Sekhemkhet, and Sahure. Then, in the New Kingdom, the area saw the construction of the Pyramids of Unas, and the nearby Mortuary Temples of Hatshepsut and Thutmose III. In the later part of the New Kingdom, as Egyptian religion began to move away from the practice of burying bodies, Saqqara was mostly abandoned. In the Late Period of the New Kingdom it was used as a burial ground for animals, and there is evidence that some tombs were resealed and reused to make way for more modern constructions. In the early 20th century, the area was rediscovered by archaeologists, and since then it has become one of Egypt’s most historically and archaeologically important sites. It is a popular tourist destination, and many of the tombs and pyramids are open to visitors. The area has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit one of the famous monuments of Egypt with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Saqqara Necropolis is the oldest and largest ancient burial site in Egypt, with its oldest structures dating back more than 4,600 years. 2. The site features several pyramids, including the renowned stepped Pyramid of Djoser. 3. Saqqara is located in an oasis to the west of the Nile River, and it was used as a burial ground for thousands of years, beginning in the First Dynasty. 4. In Ancient Egypt, the term “Saqqara” was used to refer to a specific region located within the range of the cities of Memphis and Heliopolis. 5. What makes Saqqara unique is its high concentration of tombs, monuments, and relics, some of which remain largely intact and well-preserved. 6. The necropolis houses more than 13 pyramids, though the number could be higher as some are yet to be excavated. 7. Saqqara is also home to the oldest known non-royal painted tomb, which is believed to have been made around 2400 BCE. 8. At the entrance of Saqqara is a pair of entrance pylons belonging to Nebankh, a high priest of Ptah from the 25th Dynasty. 9. Additionally, Saqqara features a beautiful relief sculpture of Isis, which is one of the best preserved pieces of funerary art. 10. Parts of the site are still enclosed and protected by mud-brick walls built by the later pharaohs, creating a unique view of old and new. One of the historical monuments of Egypt, it tells the story of a bygone era