Sakkara Egypt: A Treasure of Egyptian History
Sakkara in Egypt is home to the oldest pyramids in the country and the Great Cemetery of Memphis, the first capital of ancient Egypt. The archaeological site lies about 24 kilometers southwest of Cairo and covers an area of approximately 7 kilometers. Sakkara is considered one of the largest and most important archaeological areas in Egypt, an open-air museum that spans eras from the Old Kingdom to the Roman period.
Pyramids and Mastabas of Sakkara Egypt
Sakkara contains numerous pyramids, including the Step Pyramid of Djoser, regarded as the oldest known pyramid. Other significant pyramids include those of Sekhemkhet, Userkaf, Djedkare, Teti, Pepi I, Pepi II, and Sahure. These pyramids belong to various dynasties and are important testimonies of ancient Egyptian architecture and burial culture. The mastabas, rectangular tomb structures, contain graves for kings and important figures of the First and Second Dynasties, such as Hesi-Ra, Khnumhotep, Ptahhotep, Ti, Merruka, and Kagmen.
Serapeum and Bubastion
The Serapeum of Sakkara is a significant site where mummified Apis bulls were buried from the New Kingdom through the Ptolemaic period. It contains underground crypts used for the burial of these sacred bulls. The Bubastion, also known as the Cat Gate, is the area dedicated to the cat goddess Bastet and contains a large number of cat mummies and statues.
Modern Discoveries
In recent years, important archaeological discoveries have been made at Sakkara. In 2018, under the leadership of Dr. Ramadan Al-Badri, Egyptian-German excavations uncovered the first complete mummification workshops from the 26th and 27th Dynasties. In 2019, a collection of 75 cat statues, cat mummies, and a huge scarab beetle was unearthed. In 2020, a burial shaft with over 100 colorful wooden coffins and well-preserved mummies was discovered, marking one of the most significant finds of the year. In 2023, the largest and first cache of bronze statues was found at the Bastion cemetery, containing 150 bronze statues and 250 colorful wooden coffins with mummies. Additionally, the largest fully preserved papyrus of the Book of the Dead, about 20 meters long, was revealed.