Djoser, Imhotep and Egypt’s First Pyramid… Six Tombs on Top of Each Other

/ Curt Mekemson
The ancient stone monument, the Pharaoh Djoser’s Step Pyramid, was built by the pharaoh’s vizier, Imhotep.

Whenever people think of ancient Egypt, one of the first thoughts that pops into to their minds is the three pyramids of Giza: The Great Pyramid, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure, along with the Great Sphinx. They were in built Egypt’s early history during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom between 2600 and 2500 BC and are the main focus of my next Egypt post— along with camels.

But today, I want to go back to their precursor, the Step Pyramid of the Pharoah Djoser, located in the Saqqara necropolis outside of Memphis.  Built in the 27th Century BCE (2700-2600) during Egypt’s Third Dynasty, it is the oldest, complete stone building complex known in history. Its architect was Djoser’s brilliant vizier, Imhotep. If you ever watched the Mummy movie series, he was cast as the bad guy, intent on world domination and allergic to cats. But to ancient Egyptians he was a good guy, so good that he was eventually (with eventually being 2000 years Egypt time) given the status of a god complete with a portfolio that included major medical responsibilities.  

Imhotep’s first layer of the pyramid was based on a mastaba, or eternal house, an ancient Egyptian tomb that was built as a one story, rectangular mud brick building with inward sloping sides where royalty from Egypt’s Early Dynastic and Old Kingdom period were buried. He then proceeded to build a series of five mastaba-like structures on top of the first one with each being smaller, thus creating the pyramid concept. The structure stands at 203 feet tall with a base of 410 by 357 feet. A maze like series of tunnels run under the pyramid that were used for the burial of Djoser, royal family members, and grave goods from royal ancestors. The latter included over 40,000 vessels. 

This statue of King Djoser, found in a sealed room in the Step Pyramid, is made of limestone. He looks like one serious dude— not someone to cross. It now resides in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. It is known as the oldest life-size statue in Egyptian History. It would have been created to contain his ka, or life force after he died. The room contained small holes so the ka could wander over to the room where food offerings were kept and feast— if the priests hadn’t already eaten them.
The Step Pyramid complex covers over one square mile and, in addition to the pyramid, incudes temples, colonnades, and a wall.
And I should add pushy sales people who refuse to take “no” for an answer and often resort to trickery to bamboozle tourists. They come in droves around the pyramids and other major attractions. On the one hand, I recognize that these people are just trying to make a living off of people who can afford it. On the other, they can be obnoxious on a level of 10 out of 10. They are best ignored unless you really want to buy something. Given the slightest sign of interest, they’ll be on you like a tick on a dog.
This beautiful temple was part of the Step Pyramid complex at Saqqara.
It reached out toward Djoser’s Step Pyramid.
The walkway through the temple was covered with stone columns that resembled log rafters.
Looking back at the temple.
I’ll conclude with this photo of Peggy and me in front of the Step Pyramid that was taken by our fellow traveler and friend, Steve Jones. I rendered it in black and white to give it an old-time feeling.

Next Post: We will travel back to South Dakota and the incredibly ambitious stone carving of Chief Crazy Horse. After 75 years, it may be a quarter finished.

40 thoughts on “Djoser, Imhotep and Egypt’s First Pyramid… Six Tombs on Top of Each Other”

  2. As usual, your photos are a lot better than mine – though it has been fun to go down memory lane with my photos. Your text has certainly filled in some info for me.

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  3. Oh the pushy salespeople. I was lucky to have a good comeback. I could say, in Arabic, ‘I lived here for two years in the 1970s and bought everything then. Can I bring it back and have you sell it for me?’ Always got a laugh and also got through to them to stop badgering me.

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  5. Thanks again for the commentary. The temple by the step pyramid was one of my favorites in Egypt. Glad to see I could be a B&W photographer!!🤪

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  7. What a great post Curt and loved the history of the Step Pyramid and that statue of King Djoser in limestone is almost as good as the black and white one of you and Peggy. Great shot of you both and I love the black at white. It’s always the way with the vendors.. “tick on dog”! It’s for for a minute and then you’re sorry. Thanks for sharing your fun experience! 💞

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  8. That’s one heck of a stepping stone!

    I can’t read the word “vizier” without thinking of the Disney movie, Aladin. That in turn evokes Robin William’s genie. So now, I’m seeing a faded hint of a smart a** blue djin atop your very serious and VERY ancient pyramid.

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    • The ancient Egyptians would have thought it natural, I’m sure, Dave. What’s one more Demi-god when you already have so many. They would hav set out to build him a temple immediately.

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  9. I love all the photos, Curt, and your narrative is always so entertaining along with being educational. Your posts make me want to visit Egypt, and the photo of you and Peggy is wonderful. The black and white is also perfect for the purpose. Thanks for sharing and Happy travels!

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  10. It’s fascinating to think about how long ago these places were built. That hallway looks almost pristine after almost 5 thousand years. And I like the old-timey photo of you and Peggy. All you’re missing is a little pick and brush. Looking forward to Crazy Horse and Camels. 🙂

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  11. Where have I been? I’ve never heard of this complex; apparently some of the other sites have better PR teams. In any event, I found this place fascinating, and if I could visit only one site in Egypt, I’d take this one over the better-known ones. Despite its smaller size, the variety and complexity of the constructions are appealing — and of course there’s that history to plumb. My favorite photo is the one showing the single individual next to the temple; I presume that’s one of your sticky salesmen!

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    • It was certainly one of our favorite sites, Linda. The temple was incredibly well-built. As for the individual at the entrance to the temple, she was a visitor. The vendor was waiting for us in front of the pyramid. The whole experience was close to overwhelming. Three months later and I am still processing photos. You will be interested to know that I am working on Alexandria now.

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  12. More fascinating info about this ancient civilization. I’m reading quietly going wow . . .wow . . wow to myself. We didn’t get to the step pyramids, but your post brought back wonderful memories of the ones at Giza.
    Alison

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  13. Oh, that camel and his trappings! And the temple whose stones glow like gold. So many magnificent things to see there, including the very nice shot of you and Peggy and pyramid!

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    • Have to love the camels, Lexi! Wasn’t the temple beautiful. And to think that it is thousands of years old! The photo that Steve took of the two of us is one of out favorites. Thanks!

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