Trip to Egypt, April 2005

Sakkara

Sakkara is the ancient principal necropolis of MenNefer (Memphis), in use from the 1st Dynasty into Christian days. It´s situated some 17 km out of Giza and you reach it via a bumpy taxi ride through the maze of Cairo traffic, past the Giza Plateau alongside a canal by the Sakkara Road.



The steppyramid of Netjerykhet Djoser (3rd Dynasty), built by Imhotep, raises in massive, silent majesty.



You approach by a series of broad stairs up to the
entrance in the enclosure wall of the Djoser Complex

Then you pass through a narrow corridor between sturdy, ribbed columns. The place was too crowded for any photos and we had to keep moving. At the end of it you emerge into the courtyard and the whole impressive pyramid is before you:



The sand is fine as powder, or flour. Wooden gangways have been laid out for people to walk on.
But it´s not too bad getting the soft, warm sand in your shoes ;).



Columns outside the North House by the Serdab Courtyard.
Beautiful, aren´t they?

Turning around, you find yourself close to the pyramid:






Looking towards north you see the Pyramids at Giza in the distance.



The 'dummy chapels' at the Heb Sed Courtyard.



The chapels from the other end, with Djoser´s pyramid in the background.



The other side of the Heb Sed court, much ruined today.



The famous Cobra Frieze on top of the wall at the southwest corner of the enclosure.



The pyramid of Unas (Wenis), location of the Pyramid Texts,
the most ancient of funerary texts to have been found sofar.



Looking towards Dashur and the south, 'bent' pyramid of Sneferu (4th Dyn.) and the north 'red pyramid' built of red granite by same King. One of the many guards on his camel keeps watch.



We encountered this relief just south of and outside the enclosure wall. I think it´s from the tomb of either Queen Khenut or Nebt but not sure which. There are not always signs with info.



These are the remains of an ancient mudbrick wall. They are still being built the same way. I´m always amazed when standing in fron of these ancient things, it creates an invisible but tangible, direct link to those people who once worked here with their hands to make this. And to think that it exists to some extent even today...