Saqqara step pyramids

Saqqara (or Sakkara) is a vast, ancient burial ground in Egypt, with the world's oldest standing structure - the massive step pyramid of Djoser (or Zoser). It is located some 30 km south of modern-day Cairo and covers an area of around 7 km by 1.5 km.

While Memphis was the capital of Ancient Egypt, Saqqara served as its necropolis. Although it was eclipsed as the burial ground of royalty by Giza and later by the Valley of the Kings in Thebes, it remained an important complex for minor burials and cult ceremonies for more than 3,000 years, well into Ptolemaic and Roman times.

The step pyramid at Saqqara was designed by the prolific and talented royal architect Imhotep for King Djoser (c.2667-2648 BC). It is the oldest complete hewn-stone building complex known in history and the location of the newly opened Imhotep Museum (2006)