Imhotep, its architect, may very well have been responsible for this major innovation. At one end of the pyramid complex, a structure known as the South Tomb is believed to have acted as an additional, symbolic, tomb for Djoser, perhaps reflecting his role as the dual king of both Upper and Lower Egypt. The two courts in front of the pyramid recreate the setting of the Sed Festival, a royal ceremony aimed at rejuvenating the king and regenerating his power.
The structures on the side of the eastern court emulate in stone the ephemeral shrines that were used in this festival, thus ensuring that the king could continue being rejuvenated forever. This complex is surrounded by a recessed limestone wall that contains 13 fake doorways as well as the real colonnade entrance on the southeast side.
A temple lies on the north side of the pyramid along with a statue of the king. To the south of the pyramid lies a great court, with an altar and stones identified as boundary markers. These structures would have served ritual purposes and, curiously, they appear to have been partly buried by their builders, notes Egyptologist Mark Lehner in his book "The Complete Pyramids. In the southeast side of the complex, next to the dummy chapels, is a court that would have allowed the king to enact the Heb-Sed jubilee festival, presumably in the afterlife.
It contains a series of tunnels that mimic those found beneath the pyramid itself. What was buried there is a mystery. Beneath the step pyramid is a bewildering array of tunnels and chambers, the center of which is a foot-deep 28 meters shaft that, at its bottom, contains the burial chamber of king Djoser. The ancient Egyptians held strong beliefs about the afterlife, burying their rulers with their possessions and sometimes even their slaves!
At some point between and BC, this step pyramid was constructed for Pharaoh Djoser , setting new standards for the burial rites of the Egyptian ruler.
It still stands today, over years later, making it the oldest remaining stone building in history. Imhotep, the architect behind the Pyramid of Djoser. His design would go on to win him legendary status.
Determined to produce the most impressive structure that the world had ever seen, Imhotep innovated on the design of pre-existing tombs. There are no records documenting the construction of the Djoser Pyramid, but historians have speculated that it would likely have taken years to complete, as well as the labor of many hundreds of workers. Just like Django, the D is silent. Although he was Pharaoh for around two decades, little is known about his reign. During his years in power, larger and longer-lasting monuments began to be constructed across his kingdom, often under the eye of Imhotep.
One engraving from the 4th century BC records that Pharaoh Djoser saved Egypt from famine by rebuilding a temple dedicated to the god Khnum , who was believed to control the Nile. Found alongside his remains were up to 40, stone urns. These vessels are inscribed with the names of the Pharaohs from the First and Second Dynasty, and continue to pose a mystery to modern archaeologists. The Djoser Pyramid soars up to 62m in height, and at its center sits a vast burial shaft 28m in depth and 7m in width.
It was easily the tallest structure of its times, and made a striking addition to the otherwise two-dimensional landscape. The pyramid was not only a singular structure, but accompanied by a vast complex which included courtyards, shrines, temples and lodgings for priests.
The acre area was surrounded by an immense wall over 10m high, which had 13 false doors and only one true entrance. To further deter unwanted visitors, a 40m wide trench was dug around the outer wall. Only the privileged few with permission were able to enter the extraordinary monument. The pyramid itself consists of six vast layers of mastabas, gradually getting smaller as they reach the summit. This design reflects the ascension of Djoser to the rank of a god.
The Djoser Pyramid is found in the Saqqara necropolis, situated in the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis.
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