Things found inside
Zoser's Step Pyramid

By Karima Lachtane
People tend to believe that the Pyramids were empty when they were first opened, but this is not true. The Great Pyramids at Giza are the most popular pyramids among people today, but in fact there are many pyramids even down to Sudan.
But even thou the Great Pyramids are so famous, how many people know about what was found inside the pyramids, when they were first opened after thousands of years?
One thing that might baffle people for eternity, could be why so few if any people have been found in their sarcophagus in the pyramids of Egypt? Or why so many lids seem to be of some sort of importance, based on their placement and different looks? Or why they all seem to follow a curtain building plan, in the placement of the rocks and even holes.

Zoser's Step Pyramid

(also known as Djoser)
3. Dynasty 2630 - 2611 B.C.

The Granit Tomb Chamber (Supposedly Djoser's resting place);
There were found pieces of mummies in this chamber. Under an outer roughly linen layer, another much finer linen layer was found which was neatly wrapped around the sense and bones of the mummy. This was a uniquely technique, used only in the old kingdom and maybe even before the old kingdom.
New C14 age testing has revealed that the mummies are several hundred of years younger than Zoser (Djoser).


The Eastern Shafts and Galleries underneath Zoser's Step Pyramid;
This Pyramid is a most fascinating building, and it is build up in different stages.
But below the step pyramid, there has been found something more mysterious. A deep structure underneath the pyramid, where there is eleven shafts/corridors that stretch towards the west.
The Galleries called I and IV, have apparently been used as tombs, because two intact sarcophagus of Alabaster were found there and fragments of even more were also found.
The Gallery called III, could be seen as a corridor that leads to an opening of a little bit bigger room, which were covered by fine Limestone. There were also found the Hip bone of an 18 years old woman, and the tomb bore the sigil of Zoser's Horus name and two other titles which belonged to Imhotep.
New C14 Age testing has revealed something, which only adds to the secrets of the Pyramid of Zoser. One set of bones belonging to a woman, dates to several generations Before Zoser.
The Gallery called VI and IX, contained a beautiful collection of stone vessels, and stacks of plates and cups. Most of the items were made of Alabaster, but there were also found other fine stone materials among the items. All together there were around 40.000 objects. Many objects had inscriptions upon them, and they clearly did not belong to Zoser, they probably belonged to his pharaoh ancestors.

The most obvious mystery to Zoser's Step Pyramid;
Is probably the other Tomb, which is also known as the 'South Tomb.' Excavation lead archeologist to discover not one but two different underground levels. Both have an inner tomb chamber, but they are as fare as I know, two different sizes. There are countless of theories as to why this South Tomb exists.

Copyright © 2000 Karima Lachtane
All Rights Reserved