Ancient site · Tomb
Step Pyramid of Djoser, Saqqara
Also known as Saqqara
The first Egyptian pyramid, built in the 27th century BCE at Saqqara near Memphis for King Djoser of the Third Dynasty. Its six stacked steps grew out of several changes of plan, and it was once covered in white limestone.
It is the earliest colossal building in Egypt made of cut stone, and the start of the pyramid age. Later Egyptians credited its design to the official Imhotep.
- Dates
- c. 2667–2648 BCE
- Still standing
- Yes
- UNESCO World Heritage
- Yes
- Location
- 29.87° N, 31.22° E
How we know
Built for a king whose name is written in the complex, and dated by Egyptian king lists and radiocarbon.
Nearby sites
- Pyramids of Giza c. 2600–2500 BCE
- Petra c. 4th century BCE – 7th century CE; Treasury 1st century CE
- Abydos c. 4000 BCE – late Roman times
- Jericho (Tell es-Sultan) c. 10,000 BCE – Persian period; tower and wall c. 8000 BCE
- Raqefet Cave c. 12,000–9700 BCE (Natufian burials)
- Karnak Temple Complex c. 1970 BCE to Roman times