GENESIS of the PYRAMIDS | Saqqara Unveiled

Join us as we explore the ruins of ancient Memphis and its necropolis of Saqqara, where we find ancient archaeological treasures and learn about the growth and development of Egyptian pyramid design. What can we learn about the enigmatic figure of King Djoser, founder of the Old Kingdom?

Thank you for watching this episode of the #antiquitiestravelguide. We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it.

CLARIFICATION: The inscription on the outside of Unas' pyramid was written by Khaemweset, son of Ramesses II of the 19th dynasty. It states that Unas' pyramid was repaired at that time and that Unas' name was restored to the pyramid.

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Oxford History of Ancient Egypt
A History of Ancient Egypt

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[Cicco]

Thank you so much for this video ... I lived and worked in Cairo for a number of years, and because I have a PhD in Archaeology (specialising in Egyptology) every time a senior staff would visit from NY or wherever, I would be asked to take them on "the tour" - so I would take them to Giza, then Saqqara and finish at Dahshur .... One day an American colleague I was taking around the sites asked me if I ever got "bored" doing these "tours" and visiting these places (!) I simply said "how can one possibly get tired of seeing such fabulous things! every time I see them I am left in wonderment anew....". So seeing your video and being taken on a tour of Memphis and Saqqara by you and your colleague was simply a joy... ! I eagerly await the next installment...

[redceltnet]

I walked through the funerary complex of Djoser. Without the suggestion of the guide, I ran my fingers along the seams of those granite walls, just as you did. I marvelled at the stone-workers of ancient Egypt. At zero point was I thinking "aliens" or "advanced technology".

[StefanMilo]

I'm loving this series, it's so cool for those of us who haven't been there.

[Ultraramage]

7:30(ish) "no factory or machine could achieve"
I see what you did there, you absolute Chad

[ancientsitesgirl]

I miss Saqqara, I'll be back there soon. Finally the content I was looking for! GREAT👌

[erinmcgraw]

This is truly incredible! I love living vicariously through you on Antiquities Travel Guide! lol (Some of the best & most underrated videos!!!) Thank you for sharing this experience, I'm in awe of these massive stone sculptures/monuments- I have SO much respect for the Ancient craftsmen who made them!!!!

[ryanvoll]

When I visited Egypt in 2018, I was the only person in my tour group to go to Saqqara and Memphis. I’m glad I went to see those two places. They were very fascinating to see in person.

[paintpain]

I love that you use the opposite argument the alt history believers use against them 😂 "The finish work is so well done it must have been done by masters sculptors... No factory machine could achieve such supreme craftsmanship, this could only have been done by hand." Well said!

[PoliticalFuturism]

These tour videos are so fantastic! Sitting here in frozen Canada, this one transported me to the world of ancient Egypt! A much welcomed reprieve form the ice and snow

[esvegateban]

And not a single mention to the ancient megalithic civilization with advanced and precise tools who made all this. I'm disappointed!

Fantastic trip, great video, thanks!

[TimGreenginger]

My brother and I had the pleasure of exploring Dahshur, Saqqara, Memphis and Meidum with Ehab guiding us over 2 days in September 2024.
Such a great guide and honest person, Ehab was fantastic and i can highly recommend his services:)
These lesser knows pyramid sites are a must in helping to understand the evolution of ancient Egyptian architecture and culture.
Thank you WOA for recommending Ehab to us:)

[stevepringle]

Dr. Milano, I just discovered your channel last month and in that I have watched all of your episodes. I love what you do here.

[antonellocossu]

This is a great video. It makes a person longing for visiting Egypt, through simplicity and attention for history. I enjoyed this video because, aside from the great knowledge of ancient history, I perceived your great respect and love for human achievements. Looking forward to watching your next installments

[awandererfromys]

30:36 The oldest stone tools are over three million years old. People vastly underestimate the amount of practice and experience our ancestors already accumulated before they even started doing such delicate stone vessels. The only difference between hunter-gatherer communities and ancient civilisations is that people went from generalists to specialists. As a consequence they had way more time to experiment and innovate in whatever field they were in. If you invest in that for a few centuries you are bound to end up with a kingdom filled with master artisans that can do the seemingly impossible.
So actually it's supereasy, barely an inconvenience.

[BSIII]

It's interesting how people like Brien Foerster go to these places and hardly gives any information, or history on any of the sites, statues, and artifacts he's showing other than his watered down lost ancient high technology conjecture. You're actually giving us history to everything you're showing.

[makinapacal]

I noticed that one of the stone vessels you show that were found in Djoser's tomb has inscribed on it the name of Peribsen of the second dynasty. The only Pharoah with a Seth rather than Horus name. Interesting that it was apparently in Djoser's tomb.

[Bliving]

I would love to see all these sites one day in person. Thank you! Thanks for sharing these with us. The Egyptians were incredible with what they achieved

[HistoryforGRANITE]

Some corrections are needed starting at 28:44 - The foot was C14 dated to the Saite period, and no remains found around the large granite box date to Djoser's reign. See Strouhal, 2001. Interpreting underground passages as a 'maze to foil tomb-robbers' is not a practice found anywhere else in the Old Kingdom and entirely speculative. I don't believe it's known if the wooden beams in the central shaft are original, or a shoring-up from later Antiquity. Asserting that Djoser was buried in the Stepped Pyramid granite box instead of the Southern Tomb granite box (or elsewhere) is also entirely speculative. The only reason ever cited why Djoser couldn't be buried in the Southern Tomb is that the granite box is too small, which is definitely is not - especially for a body in the fetal position.

If you have additional pics or videos of Unas' pyramid, particularly in the horizontal corridor and vestibule I would be very grateful if you could send them to me. Thanks for the walkthrough.

[sjs]

if you were 3 years old and was given a large supply of blocks and wanted to build the tallest stable structure, you would build a stepped pyramid. Not sure why I posted that, but loved the video :)

[yewtoob]

Incredible video! Thank you, David and Natalie!