la Pirámide escalonada de Zoser en Saqqara
Saqqara es un extenso y antiguo cementerio que sirve como necrópolis para la antigua capital egipcia, Memphis. Saqqara presenta numerosas pirámides, incluida la famosa pirámide escalonada de Djoser, a veces conocida como la tumba escalonada debido a su base rectangular, así como una serie de mastabas (palabra árabe que significa "banco"). Ubicada a unos 30 km (19 millas) al sur del actual Cairo, Saqqara cubre un área de alrededor de 7 por 1.5 km.
La pirámide escalonada de Djoser es la estructura más famosa de Saqqara, que data de la tercera dinastía (2667—2448 a.c), y fue el primer complejo construido completamente de piedra. También muestra una importante innovación arquitectónica para la construcción de las pirámides de Giza y otras pirámides posteriores en la 4ta dinastía y más adelante. ya que es la primera pirámide (escalonada) hecha de 6 mastabas o escalones y, a veces, se la conoce como la tumba de pasos debido a su base rectangular.
La ubicación es inteligente ya que Abusir se encuentra al norte y Dahshur al sur. El área que va desde Giza a Dahshur ha sido utilizada como necrópolis por los habitantes de Memphis en diferentes momentos, y fue designada como Patrimonio de la Humanidad por la UNESCO en 1979. Algunos estudiosos creen que el nombre Saqqara no se deriva del antiguo egipcio. deidad funeraria, Sokar, pero supuestamente, de una tribu bereber local llamada Beni Saqqar.
Más de otras diez pirámides y una gran cantidad de tumbas y templos funerarios se encuentran dispersos alrededor del área de la pirámide escalonada de Djoser. y todo el sitio de la Necrópolis de Saqqara es testigo de la grandeza de las primeras dinastías en el Antiguo Egipto .
Si quieres saber más sobre un lugar llamado Giza y ver cómo es, hay un sitio web especial llamado Cuántas Pirámides Hay En Egipto. Tiene mucha información e imágenes que pueden ayudarte a saber más sobre Giza y su historia.
To the southwest of Cairo and on the verge of the desert, there exists Saqqara, a design that can boast a lot about ancient Egyptian history, thus making it one of the archaeological sites. This vast expanse is known to be the extension of the burial grounds of Memphis City. Saqqara bears many interesting structures; some of them have managed to survive for more than 4700 years, containing tombs of the pharaohs, nobles, and even sacred pets. The most famous structure in the area is the Djoser Step Pyramid, claimed to be the first real pyramid and considered the largest stone-made structure of its kind within the range.
For this reason, this paper seeks to examine the historical significance of Saqqara, its major landmarks, and the beauty of this ancient city.
A Brief History of Saqqara
The historical importance of Saqqara can be traced back to the Third Dynasty of Egypt around 2650 BCE when Pharaoh Djoser ordered the construction of his pyramid complex. The Step Pyramid, designed by the legendary architect Imhotep, was a transformation in building techniques, giving way from the ordinary mud brick mastabas, which were flat-roof tombs, to decorated pine stone architecture. Over time, Saqqara developed into a large burial area that contained tombs from various dynasties and ages in ancient Egypt's history, which were the Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom, and even the later periods.
Like the rest of Memphis and its Necropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Saqqara is of great importance from the point of view of archaeology and history. Because of the many pyramids, mastabas, temples, and burial complexes present in the site, it also explain the evolution of the Egyptian way of burying their dead, the religious factors involved, and even the development of structures for several centuries.
the Step Pyramid of Djoser: An Architectural Marvel
The most important feature of Saqqara is undoubtedly the Step Pyramid of Djoser—the first ever constructed pyramid and a stunning illustration of Egyptian brilliance. The pyramid has a height of about 62 meters and consists of six steps of diminishing size so that the pyramid takes on its usual stepped shape. The architect of the chaste was the first to use stones in grand structures and set stone slabs that would later develop into the true pyramids of Giza.
Encircling the pyramid itself is a series of courtyards, temples, and other religious structures, most of which were designed to benefit the king in the next world. This includes the South Court, in which visitors may observe the ruins of several ancient shrines and altars used for ceremonial purposes. There is a huge compound wall with 14 gates encircling the complex, one of which was to be used for functional purposes, representing the final resting place of the king with no interference from the outside world.
Within the Step Pyramid structure, there exists a rat’s nest of stairways and rooms. Although the primary burial chamber was taken during antiquity, archaeologists have found astonishing amounts of items and valuables that help understand the culture and practices of the ancient Egyptians.
Saqqara’s Step Pyramid aside, the site is replete with numerous burial places of high-ranking officials, nobles, and members of the royal family. Decorated with finely carved images and wall paintings, the ancient Egyptian tombs illustrate aspects of life in ancient Egypt, including normal activities, religious practices, and iconography.
Tomb of Ti
The Tomb of Ti is one of the more recognized tombs in the Saqqara region. Ti was a high-ranking government official during the Fifth Dynasty. The tomb is famous for its intricate bas reliefs of daily activities in which Ti is shown active, such as tending to crops, going fishing, and making offerings to the deities. These images are not only beautiful but also very helpful in grasping the social, economic, and cultural aspects of the Old Kingdom.
The Mastaba of Mereruka
La Mastaba di Mereruka is another notable recognition within the Saqqara tombs. This is among the most considerable and richly decorated tombs of the necropolis. Mereruka was the visier and a son-in-law of Pharaoh Teti. His tomb contains an incredible number of rooms, a whopping thirty-two chambers, the walls of which are covered with relief images of the highest quality. The events depicted in these images give a detailed picture of many sectors of the ancient Egyptian civilization, ranging from medical practices and religious rites to leisure and domesticity.
The Serapeum: burial sites for the Apis Bulls.
The Serapeum from Saqqara is another interesting aspect that is a structure that was built primarily for burying sacred bulls referred to as the Apis, who took the guise of the god Ptah. The Serapeum consists of a series of underground corridors and galleries containing large stone coffins where the remains of the sacred bulls were interred. This complex is indicative of the Ancient Egyptians’ great love for animals and their unique beliefs about the divinization of certain animals.
New Discoveries at Saqqara: Uncovering Ancient Secrets
Saqqara remains an active site of archaeological research and exploration, and new finds help in addressing previously unknown portions of the ancient Egyptian civilization. Tombs, coffins, and a number of artifacts from different epochs ranging from the Old Kingdom to the Late Period have in recent years been excavated.
The tomb of Wahtye, a priest from the Fifth New Kingdom, monumental as it is, has a very well-preserved tomb bearing fine wall paintings illustrating the life and religious activities of the above-mentioned priest. Another important discovery presents a cache of sarcophagi and anthropoid wooden coffins, most of which are decorated; some were even closed and painted with varnish. These excavated materials help not only to understand the history of the Saqqara area more profoundly but also to reveal the importance of Saqqara as an archaeological site even in these days.
For those who would like to visit Saqqara, this place may be regarded as a temporal adventure as well as a treasure of some of the fantastic historical sites that one can find in Egypt. Allow us to share with you some useful information that would be helpful during your visit:
How To Get There: Saqqara is approximately 30 km from Cairo city center, which is southwest of Cairo, and can be reached by car quite comfortably. A number of tours include a visit to Saqqara, most of which visit other sites as well that are in the vicinity, such as the Giza pyramids and the Dahshur regions.
What to Put On: Since the location of Saqqara is situated in the desert, it's important to wear a suitable dress, and a cap, and protect the skin with sunscreen. Some good walking shoes are advisable since the ground in some places might be rugged.
Guided Tours: Even though it is feasible to visit Saqqara without the aid of a tour, the positive aspect is that a tour does help in improving the experience. Enriched guides help enrich the context and facts, making the ancient history and the importance of the site less than flat.
Other Sites of Interest: You can also make other site visits that are located within reach of Saqqara, for example, the Davis Pyramid, the Bent Pyramid, the Red Pyramid, and Memphis, all of which are located near Saqqara.
Conclusion: Saqqara’s Enduring Legacy
To say that Saqqara is important in ancient Egyptian history is a meager understatement. Its story is multilateral; it is the place where pyramid construction started and has been in use as a sacred burial site for more than three thousand years.
Saqqara comprises some of the most revolutionary structures, from the Step Pyramid of Djoser to the richly decorated niches of its temples, which reveal and preserve the creativity, religious beliefs, and longevity of ancient Egypt.
Saqqara is said to provide the best experience of the past along with the chance to tread like a pharaoh. Saqqara is such a mesmerizing place that almost every history buff and common person desirous of knowing about the ancient wonders of Egypt visits it without fail. It is still breathtaking, mysterious, and enchanting, full of timeless beauty.
