Egypt and Libya, March 19 - April 2, 2006 / 20060321k_DS_ZoserPyramidCourtyard
Ruth Milner, rmilner plus web at bookofmarvels dot net
Sarah and Dale (and Matthew barely visible
between) following the boardwalk along the side of the courtyard in front
of the famous step pyramid. The ruins of a number of other buildings remain
along the eastern side of the courtyard. The pyramid dates to about 2700BC,
making it the oldest large verified pyramid in the world. The design
is thought to be based on layers of mastabas, which were the original
one-storey flat-topped tombs. It is pretty much the first pyramid that was
built with stone instead of mud brick; there are approximately 110 pyramids in
Egypt, but few of them are in recognizable condition now. The burial chamber
is 90 feet underground, directly beneath the pyramid.
