Saqqara
Saqqara is a village thirty kilometers from Cairo, whose name went on behalf of the God of the dead Sokar. Here is the Metphis necropolis – of the first Egyptian capital. The length of this village is 7 km, and the width is from 500 to 1500 m. In addition to burial places, there are 11 pyramids belonging to the kings ( Aunt, Pepi I, Pepi II ). The burial processes took place mainly during the sixth, as well as the first, second and third dynasty.
So, to the last of the listed dynasties, belongs to Pharaoh Jocere, who was buried here. Its tomb is the structure of Imhotep in 2650 BC. This is the most important attraction of Sakkara – the stepped pyramid of Joser. Now it is one of the largest structures in the ancient world. Among scientists, she is known as the mother of the pyramids. This is the most grand and very first creation of stone. Its base has dimensions of 160 m per 120 m, and the height is 60 meters. The pyramid consists of six stone steps that narrow down to the top, as well as burial spaces located at a depth underground. The architect Imhotep only gave shape to this building according to the type of pyramid, but subsequent builders were engaged in its improvement, emphasizing clear lines of the geometric figure in the form of steps. Now in the tomb is a copy of the small statue of Joser, since its original was sent to the Egyptian Museum. The main premises of the tomb are a number of chambers that are cut down in rocky soil. One of them placed a sarcophagus with pharaoh, and the rest kept things that, according to architects, would be needed by the ruler in the other world.
There are also dozens of small tombs, pyramids and temples in Sakkar. Here you can see the tombs of the sacred bulls of Ptah, which were still called in the ancient world of Serapem. Which indicates the veneration of the sacred bull. Dead Apis were embalmed. A feature of the road that leads to Serapem – is the statues of great Greek philosophers.
On the south side of the village of Sakkara, travelers can see the expanses that were once the capital of Lower Egypt – Memphis. Now almost nothing is left of her, but the huge 20-meter statue of Ramses II, which is located in a special pavilion, is luring tourists. There is a sphinx, although it is not possible to compare it with the Giza column in size. These structures once adorned the temple of Ptah.
The Museum of Imhotep, which is located on the territory of the necropolis, is also presented to tourists. For once in your life, you need to see with your own eyes the place from which this great civilization began.
