Memphis and Saqqara

Memphis, situated 20 miles south of modern day Cairo, was the first capital of ancient Egypt, founded in the era of the Old Kingdom (dynasties 3-6). The site is over 5000 years old, so little of the city remains. 

Memphis was known for its grand temples and palaces, many of which were built by some of the most famous pharaohs in history, such as Ramesses II and III. Memphis reached pre-eminence in the 3rd Dynasty, and the huge royal pyramid tombs of this period, in the necropolises of Memphis, confirm this.

With the decline of Memphis in the 7th century, Memphis’s crumbling buildings were harvested for stone to lay the foundations for Cairo.

The prominence of Memphis is indicated by its extensive cemeteries of the early Dynastic period (c. 2925–c. 2575 BCE) and Old Kingdom (c. 2575–c. 2130 BCE). Most of the pyramids found near Cairo, numbering well over 100 in total, were built during this period when Memphis was the most important city in Egypt and most probably the world.

The Ancient City of Memphis and the Necropolis of Saqqara

A necropolis is quite literally a city of the dead. Considered one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, the Necropolis of Saqqara was used by the ancient citizens of Memphis as a cemetery for kings, non-kings, and also animals. The most important tombs in the necropolis of Saqqara were the Mastaba of Ti and the tomb for King Djoser (found in the Step Pyramid of Djoser). The Step Pyramid was the first stone pyramid ever built in Egypt and perhaps the world.

The 6-tier, 4-sided structure is the earliest colossal stone building in Egypt. Beneath the pyramid was an underground structure of unprecedented size and complexity, with galleries, a bewildering array of tunnels, and chambers of over 400 rooms. The center of the underground complex is a 90-foot-deep (28 m) shaft that, at its bottom, contained the burial chamber of King Djoser

Who was Djoser, and How Long Did It Take To Build his Pyramid?

Djoser, the second pharaoh of the 3rd dynasty, was the builder, and Imhotep, the king’s architect, is credited with this architectural feat. His reputation as a wise man and physician led in later times to his deification.

Saqqara’s step pyramid took about twenty years to build with about 100,000 free skilled workers. It took another 10 years to connect the pyramid with the valley temple below. It is considered to be an experimental structure in ancient Egypt.

Egyptologists believe this design served as a gigantic stairway by which the soul of the deceased pharaoh could ascend to the heavens. Another sixteen Egyptian kings built pyramids at Saqqara, which are now in various states of preservation. It remained an important complex for non-royal burials and cult ceremonies for more than 3000 years, well into Ptolemaic and Roman times.

Pyramids Surrounded by Cemeteries’

The royal pyramids are surrounded by large cemeteries where the courtiers and officials who had served the king during his lifetime were buried. The beautiful reliefs in certain of these tombs include scenes of daily life and thus give some idea of the crafts, costumes, and occupations of the royal court of Memphis. The Mastaba of Ti – one of the most detailed and preserved tombs ever to be found, has helped modern civilization learn more about life in the Old Kingdom. Saqqara Necropolis is also home to the largest complex of animal cemeteries and cult buildings.

Though other pyramids were attempted in the 3rd Dynasty after Djoser, it was the 4th Dynasty transitioning from the step pyramid to the true pyramid shape, which gave rise to the great pyramids of Meidum, Dahshur, and Giza. Without the construction of Djoser at Saqqara, the Great Pyramid of Giza may have never existed.