Step Pyramid of Djoser

Step Pyramid of Djoser

c. 2675-2625 BCE

1744

Step Pyramid of Zoser

Imhotep

built works

Egypt (nation)

Ṣaqqâra (ruins)

Third Dynasty (Egyptian)

pyramids (tombs or platforms)

Djoser--King of Egypt

Exterior view of step pyramid. "This pyramid and the buildings comprising the funerary complex were designed by Imhotep, the first architect whose name is recorded. They were also the first major constructions in stone. Prior to this, sun-dried brick had been the usual building material. It is also the first tomb of monumental size. It was begun as a large mastaba, oriented to the points of the compass, but was enlarged twice to a final height of about 200 feet. The stepped pyramid is midway between the earlier mastaba tombs and the perfected forms at Giza. It seems to be composed of a series of mastabas, each smaller, and stacked on top of each other. It was built of fairly small limestone blocks, much smaller than those used later at Giza. It was sheathed in fine limestone from the same quarry used for the stone of the Giza pyramids,"--by Mary Ann Sullivan, Bluffton University.

limestone

200 feet tall

jpeg

©2013 Lawrence Technological University. These images may be used for personal or educational purposes. They are not available for commercial purposes without the explicit permission of LTU.

A1EGSAQ2-82750BE2A2