Editing Pyramid of Djoser (section)

=== Entrance colonnade ===
The entrance colonnade led from the enclosure wall to the south court of the complex.{{sfn|Bard|2015|p=142, fig. 6.2}} It comprises two distinct passageways oriented approximately east–west.{{efn|The corridor is oriented slightly to the south-west.{{sfn|Verner|2001d|p=113}}}} The first is a narrow {{cvt|1.05|m|ft}} wide by {{cvt|6|m|ft}} long corridor cut into the enclosure walls bastion.{{sfn|Lauer|1999|p=861}} The ceiling blocks here were carved into the shape of tree trunks.{{sfn|Verner|2001d|p=112}} This is followed by a wider corridor flanked by 40 limestone columns, arranged in pairs, that fronted projecting walls, which formed [[Alcove (architecture)|alcove]]s.{{sfn|Verner|2001d|p=112}}{{sfn|Lauer|1999|p=861}}{{sfn|Edwards|1993|p=47}} The columns were each nearly {{cvt|6|m|ft}} tall{{sfn|Verner|2001d|p=112}} and were fashioned to resemble bundled reeds{{sfn|Lauer|1999|p=861}}{{sfn|Bard|2015|p=143}} that had between seventeen and nineteen ribs.{{sfn|Edwards|1993|p=47}} They supported a limestone ceiling whose blocks carved again into the form of palm tree trunks.{{sfn|Verner|2001d|p=112}}{{sfn|Lauer|1999|p=861}} There are 24 alcoves which are suggested to have held statues of the king or perhaps, because of their number, a double statue of the king and a [[Nome (Egypt)|nome]] deity. Such statues are present in the monuments of the [[Fourth Dynasty of Egypt|Fourth Dynasty]], but no trace of them has been uncovered at Djoser's complex.{{sfn|Verner|2001d|p=112}}{{sfn|Edwards|1993|p=47}} The end walls of the alcoves had slits cut into them near the ceiling thus allow light to filter in.{{sfn|Edwards|1993|pp=47–48}} Near the beginning of the colonnade, at its eastern end, is a corridor which leads to the ''heb-sed'' court.{{sfn|Edwards|1993|p=46}} Between the twelfth and thirteenth alcove{{sfn|Lauer|1962|p=111}} is a "transverse vestibule" with a passage flanked by eight {{cvt|5|m|ft}} tall columns and cross-walls leading to a sanctuary.{{sfn|Verner|2001d|p=113}}{{sfn|Edwards|1993|p=48}} Lauer believes this chamber contained a statue of Djoser on a pedestal that bore his name and Imhotep's titles.{{sfn|Lauer|1999|p=861}} The torso and base of this statue were found in the entrance colonnade.{{sfn|Verner|2001d|p=114}} The west wall of the entrance colonnade has the form of an open door which leads into the south court.{{sfn|Edwards|1993|p=48}}

<gallery class="center" widths="160px" heights="160px">
Saqqara, Ancient Egypt.jpg|Entrance
Saqqarah Djeser 04.jpg|Entrance colonnade of the step pyramid complex
Saqqara - Pyramid of Djoser - Mortuary temple - Hypostyle hall.JPG|Colonnaded corridor leading into the complex proper
</gallery>