Saqqara

City of the Dead

During the first dynasty, Saqqara was built to serve as the necropolis for the pharaohs of the Ancient capital Memphis. Today it stands as the oldest hewn-stone building compound in history. 

Later in the second dynasty, mastabas started to be constructed. Mastabas, from the Arabic word “stone bench,” are large stone or brick slab-structures that serve as tombs. Mastabas would later help to construct the infamous step pyramid.

Many pharaohs were buried in Saqqara: Pepi I and II, Merenre, Ti, Unas, Djoser and many more. King Djoser was one of the most famous pharaohs ever buried in Saqqara. His tomb was the first “step” pyramid ever built, known as the Step Pyramid of Djoser.  A step pyramid is essentially several mastabas stacked. His tomb was the plateau for future development of the later symmetrical pyramid such as the Great Pyramids of Giza.