Funerary Complex of Zoser

The most important structure of the period, however, is the funerary complex of Djoser (reg c. 2630–c. 2611 bc), which marks the first appearance of monumental stone architecture in Egypt. Its central element is a massive stepped pyramid (140˙118˙60 m; see Pyramid, fig. 1) of limestone masonry constructed at the instigation of the architect Imhotep, who was later deified for his achievement. Originally conceived as a mastaba tomb, the design was modified six times before finally emerging as a six-stepped pyramid with a complex suite of subterranean funerary apartments, including a granite-lined burial chamber and walls panelled in small blue faience tiles (see Egypt, ancient, fig. 101); one panel has been reconstructed in the Egyptian Museum (Cairo, Egyp. Mus., JE 68921). Among the objects recovered from the underground rooms were stelae depicting the King, and more than 40,000 stone vessels. A mortuary abutted the north side of the pyramid, and beside it a serdab (sealed chamber) contained a painted limestone seated figure of Djoser (Cairo, Egyp. Mus., JE 49158)...The complex is surrounded by a recessed limestone wall with bastions and 14 imitation closed gates enclosing an area roughly 300˙500 m. The single genuine entrance in the south-eastern corner leads into an entrance colonnade comprising 48 ribbed columns.exterior, Heb-Sed Cour