Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Egypt's oldest pyramid reopens to public after 14-year restoration
ABC News ^ | March 5, 2020 | Hatem Maher

Posted on 03/12/2020 1:01:39 AM PDT by SunkenCiv

Egypt's oldest pyramid, rescued from collapse, reopened to visitors Thursday after a 14-year restoration project.

The 4,700-year-old step pyramid, built in the 27th century B.C. for third dynasty pharaoh Djoser, is deemed the oldest stone structure of its size in the world. The ancient structure was badly damaged in a 5.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Egypt in 1992 and was at risk of collapse more than a decade ago.

Located in the Saqqara necropolis in the ancient city of Memphis, some 30 km south of Cairo, the step pyramid is made up of six mastabas (rectangular structures) stacked on top of each other.

Designed by architect Imhoteb, the vizier of Djoser, the pyramid includes a 28-metre deep burial chamber for the pharaoh who some scholars believe ruled Egypt for almost two decades.

The 60-metre-high pyramid underwent extensive restoration, including filling gaps in the mastabas with blocks similar to the originals. The burial chamber, the ceiling of the central shaft and the pyramid's narrow internal passages were also renovated.

(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...


TOPICS: History; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: djoser; egypt; godsgravesglyphs; oldkingdom; saqqara
A general view shows the step pyramid of Djoser in Egypt's Saqqara necropolis, south of the capital Cairo, March 5, 2020.A general view shows the step pyramid of Djoser in Egypt's Saqqara necropolis, south of the capital Cairo, March 5, 2020. [Hatem Maher/ABC News]

Hatem Maher/ABC News

1 posted on 03/12/2020 1:01:39 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

I missed the opening by two weeks!


2 posted on 03/12/2020 3:16:53 AM PDT by Dr. Ursus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Time for another Vacation.
https://youtu.be/Kzig43Dr2y0


3 posted on 03/12/2020 3:34:54 AM PDT by redshawk ( I want my red balloon. ( https://youtu.be/V12H2mteniE))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

The links don’t seem to work.


4 posted on 03/12/2020 4:35:35 AM PDT by Blennos
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Blennos

Fascinating story of how British architects managed to help stabilize the pyramid’s inner chambers, which were in danger of collapsing.


5 posted on 03/12/2020 6:05:11 AM PDT by CondorFlight
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Blennos
better link
6 posted on 03/12/2020 6:32:46 AM PDT by JohnBovenmyer (waiting for the tweets to hatch)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: JohnBovenmyer; CondorFlight

Thank you. This link works. I’ll read it now with great interest.


7 posted on 03/12/2020 7:26:12 AM PDT by Blennos
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

But, a few years back I read that the moslems were going to cover and hide them with wax because they were pagan.

Wonder how that wax would hold up in the Egyptian sun.


8 posted on 03/12/2020 7:27:40 AM PDT by Ruy Dias de Bivar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: StayAt HomeMother; Ernest_at_the_Beach; 1ofmanyfree; 21twelve; 24Karet; 2ndDivisionVet; 31R1O; ...

9 posted on 03/12/2020 8:47:20 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Ruy Dias de Bivar
I wonder why they thought wax would cover them up. I don't have to ask why they wanted to, it's because they're benighted bigoted superstitious nitwits.

10 posted on 03/12/2020 8:49:55 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Blennos; JohnBovenmyer; CondorFlight

The original link worked early this morning. I don’t know what happened. Thanks JB for the updated link.


11 posted on 03/12/2020 8:52:24 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson