Djoser pyramid in Saqqara

On Saturday we went to Saqqara, Egypt to visit Djoser pyramid and some tombs in the area of the pyramid. Djoser pyramid is for King Djoser and is often just referred to as Saqqara. It is a step pyramid and is the first pyramid to be constructed in Egypt in approximately 2600 B.C. The guidebook says that it also represents one of the largest and most complex monuments in Egypt. It was a 45 minute drive from Maadi, on the west side of the Nile River. We learned from our fabulous guide Abdu that the east side of the Nile was for living and the west side for the dead. (The sun rises and sets.) Thus all ancient monuments are on the west side. We live less than a mile (on the east side) of the Nile, which is sounds so exotic to me. I grew up next to the Ohio river in Louisville and now I'm living next to the Nile!
 
The more widely recognized pyramids in Egypt are in Giza, which is just across the Nile and north a bit from Maadi. The Giza pyramids are the towering ones with smooth sides that you mostly see in advertisements. We are not allowed in Giza right now so those pyramids are on our list of things to see.
 
The Djoser pyramid is a 40-acre complex that is being slowly uncovered. Excavations first began in 1975 but funds are limited and I think most work has stopped for now. The pyramid has always visible but now there are tombs and walkways and walls and rooms that you can walk through and see. It was so interesting because there are most likely many more tombs and things to be discovered. There was a great little museum on site as well with really fabulous things that had been excavated.
 
We had a wonderful driver and guide named Abdu. He is Egyptian and an historian and we learned so much from him. He liked to ask serious questions concerning the pyramids (the construction or why something was a certain way) and if we got the answer right he owed us a coca-cola. If we didn't get the answer then we owed him. I am happy to report that Dave and I are both owed a coca-cola from Abdu!
 
The funny part was the bedouins with the camels and donkeys. These lovely people make their living by selling things to tourists and because tourism has practically disappeared in Egypt they can barely afford to make a living. They also make their living by putting Arabian clothing on tourists, helping them onto camels, and heaving kids and men onto donkeys! We went with a lovely young couple named Hannah and Jeremy Mitchell. Hannah had never been on a camel so she got on first. I decided to join her. You have to have the proper head covering for such adventures and they quickly dressed us up.  Dave and Jeremy had no intention of camel or donkey riding and were hanging around taking photos. These men are FAST--before Dave knew it he too was wearing Arabian headwear AND a bedouin robe. Without waiting a second the men picked Dave up and hoisted him onto a donkey. Then the same thing happened to Jeremy. It was so funny. Everyone was so good natured about it.

We are standing outside the entrance to the pyramid. The photo below is taken from the Internet and shows the pyramid and entry way and walls. I think Abdu said that the wall would  have surrounded the pyramid.



Photo from the Internet showing the pyramid and the entrance. 

My photo of Djoser pyramid. The scaffolding is for repair work from an earthquake several years ago. I knew they had earthquakes here! That's why I won't live in an apartment building. I have seen how they are constructed.

He's so cute!! It was quite an experience when he stood up (and sat down). I think I squeezed the breath out of Hannah!

All of this was covered by sand until 1975 when discovery began. These are the walls of administrative buildings. Tons of pottery shards around--from nearly 5000 years ago!

Artwork on the walls of Maya Temple. We walked into this temple and the walls were amazing. We could touch this art from thousands of years ago (but we didn't).

Walking down into the Maya Temple (or could be Horemheb necropolis, rats I'm confused).

We are walking down a road/walkway that was used only for the king and his doctor that led to Memphis. Originally it had decorated walls and ceiling.

Entrance to a tomb. It's one of three places and I will figure it out: Maya temple, Horemheb necropolis, or Ti tomb.

 

Hannah and our helpers. The men were so nice. The guy in light blue has my hat on; we switched headgear.

Dave is hilarious and Jeremy is too! The camel was so uncomfortable and I read that's because you are essentially sitting on their spine. I could barely hang on.

Cobra sculptures on the wall.

A baby cobra.

Abdu feeding the feral dogs. I was surprised how many dogs there were out there. More dogs than people! I have become afraid of them. One or two of these poor things had flies all over them.