Ancient Egypt has a rich history with countless fascinating Egyptian sites beyond the well-known Pyramids of Giza and the famous archeological sites. While these places are undoubtedly iconic and awe-inspiring, numerous ancient Egyptian sites are captivating and worth visiting and learning about. Let’s delve into this comprehensive blog and explore more about these wonders of Egypt.
Ancient Egyptian Sites in Giza
Discover over 1,000 ancient Egyptian sites you have never heard of or visited. These places include pyramids not in Giza, some mysterious tombs, and newly discovered areas waiting to be explored.
- The Bent Pyramid
The Bent Pyramid is located among the mesmerizing ancient Egyptian sites and was commissioned by King Sneferu, the illustrious ruler of Dynasty 4. It is called “bent” because of its unusual shape caused by a change of angle during construction. Originally, the pyramid was meant to be built at an angle of 55 degrees, but due to an overload of blocks, it had to be adjusted to 43 degrees to prevent instability. However, even with these adjustments, the king’s architects decided to build a new pyramid nearby, the Red Pyramid. The Bent Pyramid’s initial angle represents a change from King Djoser’s Step-pyramid style in Saqqara to the subsequent smooth-faced pyramids.
The Bent Pyramid has two entrances in its design. One is on the northern side and has contemporary wooden stairs. The other is on the western side and is positioned high up. Both entrances lead to a chamber with a corbelled roof, which creates a gradual effect. The chamber of the northern entrance is situated below ground level, whereas the chamber of the western entrance is built higher up in the body of the Bent Pyramid.
- Red Pyramid
The Red Pyramid in Dahshur is one of the lesser-known Ancient Egyptian Sites. Its reddish rusty color results from the color of its blocks. Originally, it was made of pure white limestone that was reused in medieval times. This pyramid is the third-largest in Egypt, after the Khufu and Khafre pyramids in Giza. King Sneferu built the Red Pyramid after constructing the Bent Pyramid and the Meidum Pyramid. It is believed that the construction of this pyramid took about 10 years.
Visitors can enter the pyramid through an entrance on the northern side, which leads to a passageway that slopes down to another gallery with a corbelled roof. A second chamber within the pyramid can be reached through another passage. This chamber is situated in the middle of the pyramid, and a passageway to the south leads to a third chamber, which is believed to be the pyramid’s burial chamber.
- Black Pyramid of Egypt
The Black Pyramid of Amenemhat III exemplifies the legacy of ancient Egyptian sites’ creativity and determination. This extraordinary wonder, constructed using black stones from the surrounding area, represents the unique respect and imagination of the ancient Egyptians. Its creation honored the great structures of the Middle Kingdom of Egypt and offers a glimpse into the lost art of pyramid construction by the ancient Egyptians of the holy land of Dahshur.
- The Pyramid of Djedefre (The Destroyed Pyramid)
The pyramid of Djedefre, also known as the Fourth Great Pyramid, was considered the most beautiful and grand of all the pyramids in Egypt, one of the most famous Ancient Egyptian Sites. According to historians and scholars, it was nearly as impressive as the Menkaure pyramid, which was the smallest of the three great pyramids.
The pyramid was constructed using a type of stone that was blacker and shinier than granite, but over time, it faded away, and only the base remains. It was situated in Abu Rawash, and some speculate that the Romans quarried it for its stones about 2000 years ago; however, this unique type of stone has yet to be found anywhere else. It is also believed that the pyramid had incomplete foundations or that the ancient Egyptians destroyed it because they disliked Djedefre.
- Step-Pyramid of Djoser
The Step Pyramid in Saqqara, built during the early Third Dynasty under the reign of King Netjerykhet (also known as Djoser), is an iconic monument in Egypt’s history. It marked a significant turning point in ancient Egyptian burial architecture, revolutionizing stone and royal burial practices. The Step Pyramid, beautiful and monumental in scale, is the oldest known stone structure in ancient Egypt and serves as the very first pyramid ever built. Before its construction, Egyptian royals and elites were buried in rectangular mastabas built over the burial site.
The Step Pyramid in Saqqara is an enchanting gem among the mesmerizing ancient Egyptian sites. It comprises a group of stacked mastabas, giving it its distinctive stepped structure. It is believed that Imhotep, the architect responsible for the pyramid’s construction, may have been the mastermind behind this innovation.
- Pyramid of Unas
The 5th Dynasty saw the construction of the Pyramid of Unas, which, despite being large, is particularly noteworthy for containing the earliest known funerary texts, known as Pyramid Texts. These spells were inscribed on the walls of the burial chamber and were intended to assist the pharaoh in his journey to the afterlife. Like many pyramids, the complex consisted of two temples connected by a long causeway. The remains of the valley temple are visible at the current entrance to the Saqqara site. Although much of the elaborately decorated causeway has been removed and reused by later rulers, some still exist, providing visitors with a glimpse of its former appearance and inviting them to visit one of the aw-inspiring ancient Egyptian sites.
- Tomb of Kagemni in Saqqara
Saqqara served as a burial site not only for royalty but also for state officials and other important individuals. Among the tombs that can be visited is the Kagemni mastaba, also referred to as KA-GMNI, which dates back to 2340 B.C. This one of the most stunning Ancient Egyptian Sites, a tomb near the Teti pyramids, comprises a complex network of rooms.
Constructed from large limestone blocks, the tomb includes a chapel with six separate rooms, a hall supported by columns, five storage rooms, two boat chambers, a serdab, and a staircase leading up to the roof. The chapel and burial chamber walls are adorned with intricate decorations, while the burial chamber itself, located at the base of the shaft, contains a carved stone sarcophagus and a wooden coffin.
- Pyramid Complex of Teti
Teti, who lived around 2345–2323 BC, was the first ruler of the Sixth Dynasty. He left an indelible mark on the landscape of ancient Egyptian sites and constructed his pyramidal complex in Saqqara, near the Step Pyramid of Djoser (built between 2667–2648 BC). The finished pyramid stood at a height of 52.5 meters. Even though the outer layer was made of high-quality limestone, the inner core was constructed of small pieces of local limestone and debris fill. Consequently, when the outer layer was removed in ancient times, the core could not maintain its shape, and began to sag. As a result, the pyramid looks almost indistinguishable from a natural hill today. Nonetheless, its substructure remains intact.
- The Serapeum of Saqqara
Nestled within the captivating ancient Egyptian sites of Saqqara, the Serapeum holds a significant role as the sacred resting place for the revered Apis bulls. They were associated with the god Ptah and were worshipped in Memphis. A pathway consisting of sphinxes leads to the Serapeum, which is made up of two long corridors that serve as the burial site for the mummified remains of the bulls. The Serapeum was utilized during the New Kingdom era under the reign of Amenhotep III and continued to be used through to the Ptolemaic Period. The bulls were chosen based on their distinct markings and divine birth and were highly respected during their lifetime.
- Tomb of Mereruka
Mereruka held the position of vizier during the reigns of Kings Teti (c.2345–2323 BC). Being the highest-ranking official and the husband of one of Teti’s daughters, Mereruka was an influential and affluent man. It is particularly noteworthy that he served as the vizier during the reigns of the first two rulers of the Sixth Dynasty when the power of the elite had increased significantly. Mereruka was interred in a mastaba north of Teti’s pyramid in Saqqara. Reflecting his prestige, it is one of the largest tombs in the Teti cemetery and one of the most finely decorated tombs of the Old Kingdom (c.2686–2181 BC).
- Mit Rahina Museum
Mit Rahina is an archaeological site rich in Pharaonic treasures, located in Giza Governorate, Egypt. Ongoing archaeological missions in Mit Rahina continuously uncover new artifacts. A rare royal statue of King Ramesses II in the form of “ka” was discovered. Rescue excavations revealed massive submerged archaeological blocks. They were part of the ancient capital “Memphis” where the famous statue of King Ramesses II was found. It is an important historical city that includes undiscovered temples, palaces, buildings, and statues.
- Imhotep Museum
Saqqara’s museum was built to honor Imhotep, the architect of King Djoser’s pyramidal tomb. The museum has six halls displaying statues, coffins, paintings, utensils, and architectural elements excavated from the Saqqara site. The museum’s distinct halls include a simulated tomb with a mummy and coffin and a hall dedicated to Jean-Philippe’s memory, who restored King Djoser’s pyramid collection.
In Giza, more than 1000 artifact explorations have been discovered, and the study of Egypt’s rich history is ongoing. Each artifact unveils a piece of the puzzle, allowing us to unravel the mysteries of this ancient civilization. Stay connected with EstateBook’s website to read the second round of this blog under the name “Must-see Ancient Egyptian Sites In Egypt Governorates You Have Never Heard Of”.
