| Pyramid of Djoser | |
|---|---|
 Djoser's step pyramid at Saqqara | |
| Djoser | |
| Coordinates | 29°52′16.56″N 31°12′59.02″E / 29.8712667°N 31.2163944°E |
| Architect | Imhotep |
| Constructed | c. 2670–2650 BC[1] (3rd dynasty) |
| Type | Step pyramid |
| Material | Limestone |
| Height | 62.5 m (205 ft; 119 cu)[2] |
| Base | 121 m (397 ft; 231 cu) by 109 m (358 ft; 208 cu)[2][3] |
| Volume | 330,400 m3 (11,667,966 cu ft)[3] |
| Part of | Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur |
| Criteria | Cultural: i, iii, vi |
| Reference | 86-002 |
| Inscription | 1979 (3rd Session) |
  Location within Lower Egypt | |
The pyramid of Djoser,[a] sometimes called the Step Pyramid of Djoser or Zoser, Step Pyramid of Horus Neterikhet is an archaeological site in the Saqqara necropolis, Egypt, northwest of the ruins of Memphis.[4] It is the first pyramid to be built. The 6-tier, 4-sided structure is the earliest colossal stone building in Egypt.[5] It was built in the 27th century BC during the Third Dynasty for the burial of Pharaoh Djoser. The pyramid is the central feature of a vast mortuary complex in an enormous courtyard surrounded by ceremonial structures and decoration.
The pyramid went through several revisions and redevelopments of the original plan. The pyramid originally stood 62.5 m (205 ft) tall, with a base of 109 m × 121 m (358 ft × 397 ft) and was clad in polished white limestone.[6] The step pyramid (or proto-pyramid) was considered to be the earliest large-scale cut stone construction made by man as of 1997,[7] although the nearby enclosure wall "Gisr el-Mudir" is suggested by some Egyptologists to predate the complex, and the South American pyramids at Caral are contemporary.
In March 2020, the pyramid was reopened for visitors after a 14-year restoration.[8]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Shaw 480was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Verner 2001d, p. 461.
- ^ a b Lehner 2008, p. 17.
- ^ Bard, Kathryn A., and Jean-Philipee Lauer, eds. 1999. "Saqqara, pyramids of the 3rd Dynasty" Encyclopedia of the Archaeology of Ancient Egypt. London: Routledge. 859
- ^ Hawkes, Jacquetta (1974). Atlas of Ancient Archaeology. McGraw-Hill Book Company. p. 149. ISBN 0-07-027293-X.
- ^ Verner 2001d, pp. 108–109 & 461.
- ^ Lehner, Mark (1997). The Complete Pyramids. New York: Thames and Hudson. p. 84. ISBN 978-0-500-05084-2.
- ^ "Egypt reopens Djoser pyramid, country's oldest, after 14-year restoration". France24. 6 March 2020. Archived from the original on 23 September 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
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