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 ...
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]
I missed the opening by two weeks!
Time for another Vacation.
https://youtu.be/Kzig43Dr2y0
The links don’t seem to work.
Fascinating story of how British architects managed to help stabilize the pyramid’s inner chambers, which were in danger of collapsing.
Thank you. This link works. I’ll read it now with great interest.
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.
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.
The original link worked early this morning. I don’t know what happened. Thanks JB for the updated link.
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