circa 2650 BCE
Step Pyramid of Djoser
The Step Pyramid of Djoser, second king of the 3rd dynasty, was built within a vast enclosure on a commanding site at Ṣaqqārah, overlooking the city of Memphis. A high royal official, Imhotep, has traditionally been credited with the design and with the decision to use quarried stone. Fine reliefs of the king and elaborate wall panels in glazed tiles in parts of the subterranean complexes are among some of the several new innovations found in this remarkable monument. In March 2020, the Pyramid of Djoser, was opened to the public after a 14-year restoration costing nearly $6.6 million.
circa 2645 BCE
Pyramid of Sekhemkhet
Sekhemkhet's pyramid is sometimes referred to as the Buried pyramid and was first excavated in 1952 by Egyptian archaeologist Zakaria Goneim. A sealed sarcophagus was discovered beneath the pyramid, but when opened was found to be empty. It was planned as a step pyramid from the first. Its base was a square measuring 378 ft x 378 ft (220 x 220 cubits). If the pyramid had been completed, it would have had six or seven steps and a final height of 240.5 ft (140 cubits). These proportions would have given the pyramid an angle of elevation of 51˚50', identical to the pyramid at Meidum and the Great Pyramid at Giza.
circa 2570 BCE
Pyramid of Khafra
Pyramid of Khafre, the second great pyramid of Giza, was built by Khufu’s second son Khafre. It seems larger than that of Khafre's father, Khufu. At just 136 meters high, it’s not, but it stands on higher ground and its peak is still capped with the original polished limestone casing.
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