The tunnels of the first grain silo were poorly ventilated. Many workers would have collapse from exhaustion.
Djoser was entombed in the first silo built by Joseph / Imhotep. The Step Pyramid was built on top of it.
The Step Pyramid was built on top of a shaft in which Djoser’s Sarcophagus was placed
The Step Pyramid in Saqqara. Built on top of a shaft that was probably the first grain silo built by Joseph. When Pharaoh Djoser (Netjerikhet) died in the 5th year of the famine, Joseph (Imhotep) made the grain silo into a tomb by encasing it with ornate limestone. Djoser’s sarcophagus was placed on a platform at the bottom of the shaft and then the top of the shaft was sealed with a heavy granite slab. Successive mastabas were built on top of the burial chamber (shaft) resulting in a Stepped Pyramid.
A diagram of the shaft and tunnels under the Step Pyramid of Djoser (Netjerikhet) at Saqqara in Egypt. The Step Pyramid was the first pyramid to be constructed and was designed by Imhotep who was the sage / vizier of Pharaoh Djoser. The central shaft has many similarities to other shafts in the Step Pyramid complex. The main entrance leads directly to the central shaft in which Djoser’s sarcophagus was placed when he died. If this shaft had been previously used to store grain, a means of retrieving grain from the bottom of the shaft would have been necessary. Four such tunnels connect to the bottom of the shaft below the level of a platform on which Djoser’s sarcophagus was placed. These tunnels radiate out of the shaft into a series of blind ending galleries where Djoser’s treasures and mortuary vessels would have been placed. They are connected to the main entrance by a pair of tunnels with stairs. Ventilation would have been poor if the shaft had been used as a grain silo prior to converting it into Djoser’s tomb. Other grain silos in the complex have much better ventilation.
If this shaft had been previously used to store grain, a means of retrieving grain from the bottom of the shaft would have been necessary. Four such tunnels connect to the bottom of the shaft below the level of a platform on which Djoser’s sarcophagus was placed.
Tunnels under the Step Pyramid in the Djoser complex at Saqqara, Egypt. The main entrance leads directly to the shaft and would have offered no challenge to grave robbers.
Were the tunnels under the step Pyramid used to trick robbers or were they used to retrieve grain?
Did Joseph / Imhotep plan it this way or is this the way it turned out? The first entrance was most likely the direct tunnel that lead straight to the shaft. This, however, would not have been suitable for retrieving grain as it did not go to the bottom of the shaft. The Left entrance was probably more technically easy to construct and navigate to the side and bottom of the shaft than the R system but would have been difficult to use. The L system could have been a trap for enemies or robbers.
If this shaft had been previously used to store grain, a means of retrieving grain from the bottom of the shaft would have been necessary. Four such tunnels connect to the bottom of the shaft below the level of a platform on which Djoser’s sarcophagus was placed.
Tunnels under the Step Pyramid in the Djoser complex at Saqqara, Egypt. The main entrance leads directly to the shaft and would have offered no challenge to grave robbers.
Djoser was entombed in the first silo built by Joseph / Imhotep. The Step Pyramid was built on top of it.
A diagram of the shaft and tunnels under the Step Pyramid of Djoser (Netjerikhet) at Saqqara in Egypt. The Step Pyramid was the first pyramid to be constructed and was designed by Imhotep who was the sage / vizier of Pharaoh Djoser. The central shaft has many similarities to other shafts in the Step Pyramid complex. The main entrance leads directly to the central shaft in which Djoser’s sarcophagus was placed when he died. If this shaft had been previously used to store grain, a means of retrieving grain from the bottom of the shaft would have been necessary. Four such tunnels connect to the bottom of the shaft below the level of a platform on which Djoser’s sarcophagus was placed. These tunnels radiate out of the shaft into a series of blind ending galleries where Djoser’s treasures and mortuary vessels would have been placed. They are connected to the main entrance by a pair of tunnels with stairs. Ventilation would have been poor if the shaft had been used as a grain silo prior to converting it into Djoser’s tomb. Other grain silos in the complex have much better ventilation.
A diagram of the shaft and tunnels under the Step Pyramid of Djoser (Netjerikhet) at Saqqara in Egypt. The Step Pyramid was the first pyramid to be constructed and was designed by Imhotep who was the sage / vizier of Pharaoh Djoser. The central shaft has many similarities to other shafts in the Step Pyramid complex. The main entrance leads directly to the central shaft in which Djoser’s sarcophagus was placed when he died. If this shaft had been previously used to store grain, a means of retrieving grain from the bottom of the shaft would have been necessary. Four such tunnels connect to the bottom of the shaft below the level of a platform on which Djoser’s sarcophagus was placed. These tunnels radiate out of the shaft into a series of blind ending galleries where Djoser’s treasures and mortuary vessels would have been placed. They are connected to the main entrance by a pair of tunnels with stairs. Ventilation would have been poor if the shaft had been used as a grain silo prior to converting it into Djoser’s tomb. Other grain silos in the complex have much better ventilation.
The main entrance leads straight to the Central Shaft in which Djoser’s Sarcophagus was placed. The R tunnel leads to another tunnel that gradually descends and connects to the galleries connecting to the bottom of the shaft. The L entrance tunnel leads to a vertical shaft that connects to the another set of galleries that are a bit like a maze. The only way out would be through the central shaft to the galleries that connect to the stairs or to climb up the vertical shaft. If the Shaft was full of grain this would not be possible. People who fell down the vertical shaft in the L entrance tunnel would, therefore, be trapped if they survived the fall (unless they had a ladder or a rope).
The tunnels of the first grain silo were poorly ventilated. Many workers would have collapse from exhaustion.
The Step Pyramid in Saqqara. Built on top of a shaft that was probably the first grain silo built by Joseph. When Pharaoh Djoser (Netjerikhet) died in the 5th year of the famine, Joseph (Imhotep) made the grain silo into a tomb by encasing it with ornate limestone. Djoser’s sarcophagus was placed on a platform at the bottom of the shaft and then the top of the shaft was sealed with a heavy granite slab. Successive mastabas were built on top of the burial chamber (shaft) resulting in a Stepped Pyramid.
The main entrance leads straight to the Central Shaft in which Djoser’s Sarcophagus was placed. The R tunnel leads to another tunnel that gradually descends and connects to the galleries connecting to the bottom of the shaft. The L entrance tunnel leads to a vertical shaft that connects to the another set of galleries that are a bit like a maze. The only way out would be through the central shaft to the galleries that connect to the stairs or to climb up the vertical shaft. If the Shaft was full of grain this would not be possible. People who fell down the vertical shaft in the L entrance tunnel would, therefore, be trapped if they survived the fall (unless they had a ladder or a rope).
The shaft was cased with limestone blocks which have fallen down and crushed the sarcophagus. The blocks are now neatly stacked in part of the tomb.
The top of the Sarcophagus in Djoser’s tomb after the rubble had been cleared
In Djoser’s tomb under the Step Pyramid
The shaft in which Djoser was buried under the Step Pyramid
The second generation of grain silos were much more accessible with an open stairway and a ventilation shaft connecting to the tunnels. Wind could blow into the tunnels via the stairwell and come out a ventilation shaft allowing better circulation of air so that the workers did not suffocate.
A grain silo in the Step Pyramid complex. Access to the bottom of the silo is from the steps in the pit next to it.
