sakkara

Sakkara is a vast ancient Egyptian burial ground located on the west bank of the Nile River, about 30 kilometers south of Cairo. It served as the necropolis for the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis. Sakkara is renowned for its diverse range of tombs and funerary structures, spanning from the early dynastic period to the Roman era, although its most significant period of use was during the Old Kingdom.

The most famous monument at Sakkara is the Step Pyramid of Djoser, designed by the architect Imhotep. This pyramid, built in the 27th century BC, is considered the earliest colossal stone building in Egypt and the first large-scale pyramid. It is a revolutionary architectural achievement, evolving from the traditional mastaba tomb.

Beyond the Step Pyramid, Sakkara contains numerous other important tombs and structures. These include the Unas Pyramid with its Pyramid Texts, the Serapeum which housed the sacred bulls of Apis, and many richly decorated mastaba tombs of nobles and officials. The excavation of Sakkara has provided invaluable insights into ancient Egyptian religion, art, architecture, and daily life. Ongoing archaeological work continues to uncover new discoveries at this historically significant site.