Oldest Pyramid in Egypt to Open in 2020

The Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri announced that the Pyramid of Djoser (also known as the Step Pyramid), Egypt’s oldest pyramid, will be open to the public in the first quarter of this year. Led by British engineers, the restoration project was initially launched in 2006, paused around 2011, and ultimately resumed in 2013.

Djoser (c. 2670 BCE) was the first king of the Third Dynasty of Egypt. He was known to have a passion for building various monuments as well as temples, and he was among the first people to use stone in construction. It is thought that Djoser’s vizier, Imhotep, built the tomb by arranging a pile of mastaba tombs to eventually form a pyramid.

According to Egypt Independent, Waad Abul Ela, the chairperson of the Projects Sector at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, said that the restorations fixed shaky stones, refurbished the internal corners of the pyramid and mended the steps at the southern and eastern entrances. To prepare for the grand opening, a lighting system is currently being fitted.

What other cultural treasures do you think Egypt should renovate next? Let us know in the comments below.

(*** Photo credits go to Roderick Eime).