Storiascopio · Era 3 of 12 · primary year 4
The Step Pyramid of Djoser
about 2650 BC · Saqqara, near Memphis (Egypt)
In short
At Saqqara, near Memphis, the architect Imhotep built a tomb for the pharaoh Djoser like nothing seen before: six great stone steps stacked one on top of another, about 60 metres high. Before that, kings were buried under mastabas, low bench-shaped buildings made of mud brick. Imhotep was so admired that, centuries later, the Egyptians worshipped him as a god of medicine and wisdom.
Why it matters It is the oldest large building made of cut stone in the world, and it paved the way for the pyramids.
Source: UNESCO, “Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur”
Where we are in the era “River civilisations”
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about 4000 BCEvent 7 of 25about 1200 BC
Your turn
Name ______________________ Class ______ Date __________
When did it happen? Find the date at the top and write it here:
Tell it in your own words: what happened?
Draw the scene below.
storiascopio.com/en/event/the-step-pyramid-of-djoser/ · free worksheet, you may photocopy it for your class