Djoser was an Egyptian pharaoh who ruled at the start of the Third Dynasty during the Old Kingdom. He is best known for building the first step pyramid, a major architectural landmark that marked the evolution of Egyptian building techniques.
The life of Djoser
Historical context
Djoser, also called Netjerikhet, reigned around 2630-2611 BC. He is the second pharaoh of the Third Dynasty, succeeding his father Khaba. The Third Dynasty marks the beginning of Egypt's Old Kingdom, a period of great prosperity and political stability.
Reign and achievements
Djoser's reign is considered a period of progress and innovation, especially in the field of architecture. Under his leadership, Egyptian architects experimented with new building techniques that resulted in the creation of the first step pyramid, the Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara.
The pyramid of Djoser
Imhotep, the visionary architect
Imhotep, Djoser's chief architect, was a key figure in the construction of the Step Pyramid. This man, also a doctor and adviser to the king, designed a revolutionary structure by stacking six mastabas (rectangular mud brick tombs) of decreasing sizes on top of each other, thus creating a stepped pyramid.
The construction of the pyramid
The pyramid of Djoser, located in Saqqara, is about 60 meters high and is surrounded by a funerary complex. For the first time in Egyptian history, building materials were mainly ashlars, rather than mud bricks. The stepped pyramid is the culmination of an architectural evolution that began with the mastabas and continued with the smooth-faced pyramids of the Fourth Dynasty.
Archaeological discoveries and research
The funerary complex of Djoser
In addition to the step pyramid, the funerary complex of Djoser includes a funerary temple, a courtyard and several annex buildings. Archaeological excavations have revealed elements of everyday life at the time, such as tools, pottery and statues. Inscriptions on the walls of the funerary complex give valuable information about the life and reign of Djoser.
Archaeologists and their work
Since the discovery of the Step Pyramid, many archaeologists have studied and worked on the site of Saqqara. Among them, the French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette carried out important excavations in the middle of the 19th century, which brought to light many elements of the funerary complex of Djoser. More recently, teams of Egyptian and international archaeologists have continued research and excavations on the site, allowing a better understanding of construction techniques and life during the reign of Djoser.
Djoser's Legacy
The reign of Djoser and the construction of his step pyramid mark a crucial stage in the evolution of Egyptian architecture. The step pyramid is considered a precursor to smooth-faced pyramids, the most famous of which is the Great Pyramid of Giza, built by the pharaoh Cheops during the Fourth Dynasty. Cut stone construction, initiated under Djoser, became the norm for major Egyptian monuments.
In addition, the Djoser burial complex and the inscriptions discovered there provide valuable insight into life during the Old Kingdom era and contribute to our understanding of Egyptian history.
In sum, Pharaoh Djoser and his step pyramid left a lasting legacy in Egyptian history. The architectural innovations and archaeological discoveries associated with his reign allow us to appreciate and understand the richness and complexity of Egyptian civilization.
📋 LIST OF EGYPTIAN SOVEREIGNS 📋
Hotepsekhemwey / Sneferka / Nebra / ninetjer / Senedj / Noubnefer / Horus Ba / Peribsen / Sekhemib / Khasekhemwy / Neferkasokar / | |||
Djoser / Sanakht / Sekhemkhet / Spoon / Huni | |||
Sekhemre-Khutaouy Amenemhat-/Sobekhotep I/Sekhemkare Amenemhat-Senbef/Sekhemkare Amenemhat V/Ameny-Qemaou/Hotepibre Qémaou-Sa-Hornejhéritef/Ioufeni/Séânkhibrê Amény-Antef-Amenemhat (or Amenemhat VI)/Semenkarê Nebnoun/Sehotepibrê Sousekhtaouy | |||
Sekhaenre Yakbim/Nebuuserre Yaammou/Khauserre Qareh | |||
Semqen/Aper-Anat/Sakir-Har/Khyan/Apophis I/Apophis II?/Khamoudy | |||
/Sekhemre-Sementaouy Djehouty/Sekhemre-Sousertaouy Sobekhotep VIII | |||
Twenty-first dynasty | |||
Twenty-second dynasty | |||
Twenty-third dynasty | |||
Twenty-fourth dynasty | |||
1st Persian Dynasty | |||
Thirty-first dynasty (Achaemenid) | 2nd Persian Dynasty | ||