Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly and other officials were on hand this week as the Djoser Pyramid was reopened following its restoration. The Saqqara necropolis, with its antiquities and tombs dating to the most ancient periods of Egyptian history, is an open-air museum. The necropolis also includes the Serpeum, where the Apis Bulls were buried. The Djoser Pyramid, located near the city of Memphis, is the oldest large-scale stone building in the world.
Egypt's Djoser Pyramid Reopens After Restoration
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Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly, Egyptian minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled El-Anany, and Egyptian Housing Minister Assem Elgazar inaugurate the Djoser Pyramid after the completion of its restoration. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
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The Step Pyramid is the highlight of Saqqara's monuments. It's the oldest monumental stone building in history and Egypt's oldest pyramid. It was commissioned by Djoser (c.2648-2667 BC), the second king of the Third Dynasty. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
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Stone blocks that had loosened were restored, and gaps between the blocks were filled with the same material that had been used in the construction of the pyramid. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
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A statue of King Netjerykhet (C2667-2648BC), also known as Djoser, inside a stone booth near the Djoser Pyramid's entrance. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
