The Step Pyramid of Djoser Re-Opens + New Pictures From Inside | Ancient Architects

The restoration of the Step Pyramid of Djoser began back in 2006 and now, 14 years later, what experts say is the oldest major pyramid in Egypt has finally re-opened to the public. At the end of this video, I’ll show you a gallery of new images from the pyramid so you can see just how it looks today.

Thought to be around 4,700 years old, the pyramid is almost 200 feet high, dominating the Saqqara necropolis south of Cairo. It has a bizarre, unique and interesting internal layout, and inside and out it is very different to the three famous pyramids of Giza.

Talking to the media, Antiquities and Tourism Minister Khaled el-Enany said: “It is the first building in the world made entirely of stone.”

Problems with the pyramid’s safety began in 1992 after a powerful earthquake rocked Egypt. In total, the pyramid renovations cost more than 104 million Egyptian pounds, which is around $6.6 million.

Thursday’s opening ceremony was attended by the Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouli, who said: “We are working hard to build a new Egypt… and the restoration of our heritage is at the top of our priorities.”

Restoration work was halted in 2011 and 2012 because of security reasons, and recommenced in 2013. But the following year, the Egyptian media reported that the Djoser pyramid had been damaged during restoration work, with some saying that the pyramid’s original façade had been altered. At the time there was criticism from UNESCO, but they have now given the project a positive report.

Egypt has revealed many exciting new discoveries in recent years, most of which I have covered on Ancient Architects, and together with the re-opening of the Step Pyramid, authorities are hoping that tourism will continue to increase.

And of course, the pyramid opening comes ahead of the opening of the new Grand Egyptian Museum, the centrepiece of Egypt’s tourism push, which is set to open at the end of the year.

Watch the video to see a new photo gallery of pictures of the Step pyramid today - inside and out!

All images are taken from Google Images and from the sources listed below.

Sources

Music Credit:

#AncientArchitects #StepPyramid #AncientEgypt

[discingaround]

I've been watching you for about a year and it's been quite the ride. You've always been pretty open minded, and told us when you were wrong with your ideas when other evidence comes out. It's refreshing, and has me coming back.

[ChildlezzCatlady]

How exciting! I cannot wait to hear about your trip.

[JohnnyRebKy]

Even from a distance you can tell whoever made that pyramid isn’t even close to who made the great pyramid! I still believe the history is backwards. The step pyramid was their attempt to build something like they found already built in Giza. If Kufu has the technology and knowledge to build the great pyramid then that level of precision would have existed a long time afterward. But it didn’t. The step pyramid does match the level of technology we know dynastic Egypt had and they indeed could have built it. But I think the GP was as big a mystery to them as it is to us. They couldn’t do it so the step pyramid is likely their first attempt and the first dynastic built pyramid. Whoever build the GP was never matched again

[UpuautRah]

This is definitely one of the places on my bucket list. Thanks for this look inside.

[Diggz]

What were they actually doing in there for 14yrs? Think about that, 14 years. It supposedly took the ancients 20-22 years to build the great pyramid. What did they find? What were they doing?

[ringa]

Hearing you are going to Egypt together with Ben is awesome news! Awesome content ahead!

[eagleeye]

Thanks to the government & people of Egypt for taking measures to protect & preserve their history & heritage. Beautiful!

[JohnC.]

Another fantastic video keep up the great work 👍

[stelsue]

Beautiful. I really enjoy this channel to the past. Some need to realize each of these structures were firsts.

[Steinninn]

There has never been a better time to visit Egypt now that the Step Pyramid is open.

[pamelasmitley]

finally completed. It took longer to restore than to build. Thank you for sharing these historic moments and images. Great update Matt. Looking for your next ones.

[hatshepsut]

Good news, unfortunately Egypt needs to clean up its act regarding the way they treat their animals, the filthy streets and the ongoing unrest that makes the tourists feel vulnerable. Loved seeing Djosers pyramid last time I visited so glad it is safely restored now. Thanks Matt

[yannbiron]

interesting as always, thanks for sharing these new images. With the Bent Pyramid re-opened, Meidum, all the restoration work and the new museum, it's hard to imagine that Egypt would've been even more tempting to visited then it already was.
No trip for me last year and no trip planned this year, but next year... Ancient Egypt will defenetly be marked off my checklist✅ I came very close to signed up for the UnchartedX tour when i saw Ben posted it on Patreon, based on all the amazing sites included in that tour, this is probably the best tour's list i've ever seen😳 maybe next year if Ben does it again. You're gonna have a blast out there my friend! Thanks again, your work is always appreciated, Peace.

[stevostin]

Spot the strange looking MIB at 3:05 !

[JMMRanMA]

Another fascinating video. One reason I enjoy these videos so much is that I visited Egypt in 1980 and some of these things were unavailable, difficult to get to, or not yet discovered. This pyramid could only be viewed from some distance away and could not be entered, for example. Thanks again for videos as good as the real thing, without the heat, humidity, flies and scammers.

[TheWhoreculture]

Am so happy you're going, ENJOY EVERY SECOND! Such a great channel, kudos💥👊❤💯👏👏👏very best to you & yours👋🌟✌

[wheelmanstan]

You should think about starting a kickstarter at some point. How great would it be if you could test out some stone cutting-drilling-moving, and pyramid building theories etc. "small scale"? Or is that a crazy idea?

[ElectricWitch]

I have to say, I really like your recent videos. The ones I've seen so far, they're really nice visually. I love the pictures and footage that you use.

[lizabellos]

Cool to see . I am happy it is open to be seen again .

[canthama]

What a great year for Egyptian ancient history....tks Matt.