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Saqqara
is located south of modern Cairo, on the
west bank of the Nile river, and covers an
area over 6 km long and more than 1.5 km
wide. It was once part of a larger system
of cemeteries that spanned the modern sites
of Giza, Abusir, and Dahshur. The area was
first used as a necropolis during the 1st
Dynasty, and continued to be used for burials
for the next 3,000 years. This site also
became a center for ‘animal cults’ from
the Late Period (ca. 712 – 343 BC)
onward, and ibises, falcons, baboons, cats,
dogs, and bulls were interred here in special
cemeteries.
Upon
arrival at the site, the visitor is invited
to explore the new Imhotep
Museum and view a short introductory film produced by National Geographic.
Leading up towards the escarpment are the Bubastieion cliffs; here can
be found a series of New Kingdom tombs (ca. 1550 – 1070 BC) currently
under excavation by Dr. Alain Zivie. The remains of a temple precinct dedicated
to the goddess Bastet are buried below what is now a parking lot on the
top of these cliffs. On the plateau beyond, emerging majestically from
the sands,
is the impressive Step Pyramid of Djoser, first king of the 3rd Dynasty
(ca. 2630 – 2611 BC). This was the first pyramid, and the first stone
monument, in the world.
To
the northwest is the Unas
Pyramid Complex,
built during the 5th Dynasty
(ca. 2353 – 2323 BC). The pyramid itself is closed, but the mortuary
temple to the east is easily accessible. The causeway leads down to an
ancient lake that once formed a harbor for the king’s valley temple.
Westwards, alongside Unas’s causeway, can be found a number of
private tombs from the Old Kingdom, including those of Ptahhotep, Iy-Nefret,
and
Niankhkhnum
and Khnumhotep.
To
the east of these tombs is the Pyramid
of Teti, first king of the 6th Dynasty
(ca. 2323 – 2291 BC), in which are
inscribed Pyramid Texts. These spells were
designed to ensure the survival of
the monarch in his afterlife
and his transformation into a divine state. Nearby are the private
tombs of Mereruka, Kagemni, Unas-ankh, and
Iruka-ptah. Northwest of the Step
Pyramid are the Mastaba of Ti and the Serapeum, cult center for the
Apis bulls. The
pyramids of Djedkare-Isesi, Pepi I and II, Merenre, and the Mastaba
Faroun of Shepseskaf, lie at South Saqqara,
which is not open to the public
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Open
daily.
1 May – Ramadan: 7:00 AM – 7:00
PM
1 Ramadan – 30 April: 8:00 AM – 5:00
PM
TICKET COST:
General Admission:
Egyptian: 2 LE
Egyptian Student: 1 LE
Foreign: 25 LE
Foreign Student: 15 LE
Student rates available to bearers of a valid student ID from an Egyptian university
or an International Student ID Card
Includes
admission to the area and to the following
monuments:
Imhotep Museum
Djoser Pyramid Enclosure
Pyramid
of Teti (Interior)
Tomb of Mereruka
Tomb of Kagemni
Mastaba of Ti
Tomb of Iy-Nefert
Tomb of Ptahhotep
Tomb of Unas-ankh
Egyptian: 4 LE
Egyptian Student: 2 LE
Foreign: 50 LE
Foreign Student: 25 LE
Extra Admission:
Tomb of Iruka-ptah
Tomb of Niankhkhnum & Khnumhotep
LOCATION:
Saqqara
region, 30 km south of Cairo [link?pop-up
map]
DIRECTIONS:
BY
BUS: Take bus # 330 from Midan Giza to the
Saqqara village.
BY
MINIBUS: Take a bus or taxi to Pyramids Road,
get off at Maryotteya
Canal, and head
down to the canal, where there are many minibuses
that
go on to
Saqqara.
BY
TAXI: Ask for “sa-a-ra”. Be clear
if you only want to go to Saqqara, because some drivers
will assume that
you want
to include
Memphis
and Dahshur.
FACILITIES:
Cafeteria,
Gift Shop under construction at museum.
NO
PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED INSIDE THE TOMBS.
Saqqara
is not wheelchair accessible.
CONTACT INFO:
Phone: 010.534.6473 – 815.1560
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