Egypt Finishes Restoration of Step Pyramid Builder's Tomb

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September 13, 2021

Egypt has finished a major restoration of the Southern Tomb structure of the famous King Djoser.

Djoser cartouche

Thought by many historians to be have lived more than 4,500 years ago and to have been the first king of the Third Dynasty, Djoser mandated a number of large building projects. However, he was most well-known for commissioning the building of his tomb, which was the first Step Pyramid and, many historians think, the oldest known pyramid. His faithful minister Imhotep designed and oversaw the building of the pyramid, at Saqqara.

Djoser Soutern Tomb restoration

The king was buried deep within the pyramid, in a chamber of granite, and not within the newly restored structure. However, Djoser did have provenance over the Southern Tomb, a mostly underground complex of passageways and a central funeral shaft, with tiles and hieroglyphs adorning the walls. A burial chamber deep inside contains a large granite sarcophagus and a well, both of which echo similar structures inside the Step Pyramid. The Southern Tomb structure is at the southwest corner of Djoser's very large funeral complex.

The restoration, which began in 2006, focused on refurbishing those carvings and reinforcing the walls of the passageways. Egypt's Ministry of Antiquities and Tourism said that workers also installed lights, so that the public could revel in the splendor.

Workers in 2020 completed a restoration of the Step Pyramid.

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Social Studies for Kids
copyright 2002–2023
David White

Social Studies for Kids
copyright 2002–2024
David White