The Pyramid of Djoser, renowned as Egypt’s oldest pyramid, is not just a marvel of ancient architecture but also a subject of ongoing fascination. This remarkable funerary monument, designed by the visionary architect Imhotep and situated in Saqqara, is brimming with intriguing details that continue to captivate experts and visitors alike.
Constructed around 4,500 years ago, the Pyramid of Djoser, often referred to as the “Step Pyramid,” was commissioned by Pharaoh Djoser. This early pyramid stands as a testament to the architectural advancements of ancient Egypt and serves as a significant symbol of the transition from earthly life to the afterlife. Its unique design and historical significance make it a standout among the myriad of pyramidal structures found across the globe.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the Pyramid of Djoser is the enduring mystery surrounding its construction techniques. Recent studies have introduced the theory that a “hydraulic elevator” may have been employed to assist in lifting and positioning the massive stone blocks. This innovative concept highlights the ingenuity required to build such a monumental structure with the tools available at the time.
Despite its ancient origins, the Pyramid of Djoser continues to intrigue engineers, mathematicians, and tourists who visit Saqqara each year. Its enduring legacy and the ongoing exploration of its construction secrets underscore the pyramid’s status as a timeless marvel of engineering and design. As research and discoveries persist, the Pyramid of Djoser remains a key subject of study, revealing new insights into the remarkable achievements of ancient Egyptian civilization.
1- Initially, It Wasn’t Designed as a Pyramid
While it’s often said that Imhotep’s genius laid the groundwork for the eventual construction of the Pyramids of Giza a century later, the Pyramid of Djoser wasn’t originally planned as a pyramid. In fact, the first-ever pyramid in Egypt began as something much simpler.
Initially conceived as a mastaba—a rectangular structure with flat roofing and an internal burial chamber—Djoser’s tomb underwent various modifications during construction. According to French archaeologist Jean-Philippe Lauer, the architectural design evolved over time. The original mastaba structure was repeatedly expanded upon, finally resulting in the six-layered step pyramid that we see today. With a base of 109 by 121 meters and a towering height of nearly 60 meters, the Pyramid of Djoser stands as a unique historical transition from traditional tombs to the grand pyramid design.
2- A Testament to Ancient Engineering
The construction of both the Pyramid of Djoser and the later pyramids at Giza involved the use of massive stone blocks, each weighing several tons. The sheer scale of these projects points to a sophisticated level of technological expertise in ancient Egypt. Without modern machinery, the Egyptians managed to transport and erect these giant monoliths using clever engineering methods.
Mathematical precision was key to these constructions, with ramps, pulleys, and wooden sleds employed to move limestone from quarries to the building site. New research, led by Xavier Landreau from the Palaeotechnical Research Institute of Paris, has uncovered more advanced techniques used in the construction of the Step Pyramid. His study suggests the existence of a dam, a water treatment system, and a hydraulic elevator, which may have been used to aid in lifting heavy materials during the building process. This also points to the ancient Egyptians’ understanding of hydraulic power, further elevating their reputation as master engineers. Additionally, contrary to common myths, the laborers who built these pyramids were not slaves, but skilled workers, much like those who would later construct the Pyramids of Giza.
3- It May Not Have Been Intended as a Tomb
One of the more controversial insights from recent research suggests that the Pyramid of Djoser might not have been constructed as a funerary monument. According to researcher Xavier Landreau, there is a notable absence of traditional markers typically associated with tombs in the pyramid’s inner chambers. Landreau points out that “the walls of the chambers in the pyramids from the III and IV Dynasties lack hieroglyphics, paintings, engravings, or any other decorative elements that would definitively classify them as being built for funerary purposes.”
This raises questions about the true function of the pyramid. Unlike other tombs of the era, the interior of Djoser’s pyramid in Saqqara displays very few, if any, obvious signs of being a burial site, and no royal remains have been discovered within. The widely accepted belief that it served as a royal tomb is largely based on the discovery of royal cartouches or names of kings found in surrounding parts of the pyramid complex or nearby temples.
However, this finding leaves room for further inquiry. Given that pyramids and mastabas were generally used as tombs for Egypt’s elite, including nobles and high-ranking officials, this new theory could prompt a reassessment of the pyramid’s true purpose. Further investigation is needed to determine if other pyramids across Egypt might have served different roles beyond their presumed use as burial sites.
4- Part of a Larger Architectural Complex
The Pyramid of Djoser cannot be fully appreciated without considering its surroundings. The archaeological site of Saqqara, spanning an impressive 9 square kilometers, is home to much more than just this iconic structure. It also features ancient tombs from both the First and Third Dynasties, a temple devoted to the goddess Isis, and multiple other funerary complexes like those of Menkaure and Userkaf. These features have collectively earned Saqqara its reputation as the necropolis of the ancient city of Memphis.
The first detailed exploration of the area began in 1926, when Jean-Philippe Lauer, a newly graduated architect, joined renowned Egyptologist Cecil Firth’s team. What began as a simple assignment turned into a lifelong mission for Lauer, who would continue working at the site for the next seventy years, until his passing in 2001.
Lauer meticulously studied and documented not only the Pyramid of Djoser but also the surrounding necropolis. His expertise in architecture allowed him to oversee the careful restoration of these ancient sites, ensuring that their ruined state remained preserved without further damage. His contributions were so significant that many came to regard him as the “reincarnation of Imhotep.”
5- The Architect Who Became a God
Thanks to inscriptions discovered on a statue of Pharaoh Djoser at Saqqara, it is known that Imhotep was the brilliant architect behind the Step Pyramid, making him the first known figure in history to design a pyramid. But his role extended far beyond that of an architect; Imhotep also held titles such as “chief of sculptors,” “chief of seers,” and “chief physician of the nation.”
His exceptional talents and knowledge in architecture, medicine, and writing led to his deification roughly 100 years after his death. In 525 BC, during the Persian conquest of Egypt, Imhotep was venerated as a god, replacing Nefertem in the Memphite triad. His popularity continued to rise during the Greco-Roman period, where pilgrims would visit his temple in Memphis, seeking cures for their ailments through dreams.
Imhotep is remembered today as one of only two non-royal Egyptians to achieve divine status, the other being Amenhotep, a high official from the 18th Dynasty.
Source: Constanza Vacas, National Geographic
