---
title: Step Pyramid of Saqqara
author: Charlesjsharp
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/539/step-pyramid-of-saqqara/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
updated: 2024-07-22
---

# Step Pyramid of Saqqara

_Authored by Charlesjsharp_

## Image File

[![Step Pyramid of Saqqara](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/539.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/539.jpg)

## Image Caption

The [Pyramid](https://www.worldhistory.org/pyramid/) of [Djoser](https://www.worldhistory.org/Djoser/) (Zoser), or step pyramid (*kbhw-ntrw* in [Egyptian](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Egyptian/)), built for the [burial](https://www.worldhistory.org/burial/) of Djoser by the [Egyptian vizier](https://www.worldhistory.org/Egyptian_Vizier/) [Imhotep](https://www.worldhistory.org/imhotep/), in the Saqqara necropolis, [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/), northwest of the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of [Memphis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Memphis_(Ancient_Egypt)/), during the [Early Dynastic Period in Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/Early_Dynastic_Period_In_Egypt/), in the 27th century BCE.

It is the central feature of a vast mortuary complex in an enormous courtyard surrounded by ceremonial structures and decoration. This first Egyptian pyramid consisted of six mastabas (of decreasing size) built atop one another in what were clearly revisions and developments of the original plan. The pyramid originally stood 62 metres (203 ft) tall, with a base of 109 × 125 m (358 × 410 ft), and was clad in polished white limestone.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Charlesjsharp. (2012, April 26). Step Pyramid of Saqqara. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/539/step-pyramid-of-saqqara/>
### Chicago
Charlesjsharp. "Step Pyramid of Saqqara." *World History Encyclopedia*, April 26, 2012. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/539/step-pyramid-of-saqqara/>.
### MLA
Charlesjsharp. "Step Pyramid of Saqqara." *World History Encyclopedia*, 26 Apr 2012, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/539/step-pyramid-of-saqqara/>.

## License & Copyright

[Original image](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Saqqara_pyramid.jpg) by [**Charlesjsharp**](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Saqqara_pyramid.jpg). Submitted by [Jan van der Crabben](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jvdc/ "User Page: Jan van der Crabben"), published on 26 April 2012. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon a work even for commercial reasons, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.