Editing Djoser (section)

== Tomb ==
{{main|Pyramid of Djoser}}
[[Image:Zoser Pyramid (2347235367).jpg|thumb|Step [[pyramid of Djoser]] at [[Saqqara]], Egypt]]
Djoser was buried in his famous step pyramid at Saqqara. This pyramid was originally built as a nearly square [[mastaba]], but then five further mastabas were literally piled one upon another, each smaller than the previous one, until the monument became Egypt's first step pyramid. Supervisor of the building constructions was the high lector priest [[Imhotep]].

=== The pyramid ===
The step pyramid is made of [[limestone]]. It is massive and contains only one tight corridor leading to the close midst of the monument, ending in a rough chamber where the entrance to the tomb shaft was hidden. This inner construction was later filled with rubble, for it was of no use anymore. The pyramid was once 62 metres high and had a base measurement of c. 125 × 109 metres. It was tightly covered in finely polished, white limestone.{{sfn|Adès|2007|p=48}}

=== Subterranean structure ===
[[File:Rear of funerary complex of Djoser Saqqara.jpg|thumbnail|left|Rear of the funerary corridor of Djoser's necropolis complex]]
Under the step pyramid, a large [[maze]] of long corridors and chambers was dug. The burial chamber lies in the midst of the subterranean complex; a 28 meter deep shaft that leads directly from the surface down to the burial chamber. The shaft entrance was sealed by a plug stone with a weight of 3.5 tons. The subterranean burial maze contains four magazine galleries, each pointing straight to one cardinal direction. The eastern gallery contained three limestone reliefs depicting king Djoser during the celebration of the [[Sed festival|Heb-Sed]] (rejuvenation feast). The walls around and between these reliefs were decorated with bluish faience tiles. They were thought to imitate reed mats, as an allusion to the mythological underworld waters. The other galleries remained unfinished.

At the eastern side of the pyramid, very close to the blue chambers, eleven tomb shafts lead straight down for 30–32 metres, and then deviate in a right angle to the west. Shafts I–V were used for the burials of royal family members; shafts VI–XI were used as symbolic tombs for the grave goods of royal ancestors from dynasties I–II. More than 40,000 vessels, bowls and vases made of various kinds of stone were found in these galleries. Royal names such as of kings [[Den (Pharaoh)|Den]], [[Semerkhet]], [[Nynetjer]] and [[Sekhemib]] were incised on the pots. It is now thought that Djoser once restored the original tombs of the ancestors, and then sealed the grave goods in the galleries in an attempt to save them.

=== Serdab statue of Djoser ===
[[File:Djoser running.png|thumb|King Djoser running for the Heb-Sed celebration (relief from the underground galleries)]]
The statue of Djoser is walled into the serdab. The main purpose of the statue was to allow the king to manifest himself and be able to see the rituals performed in and out the serdab. This painted statue is plastered and made out of limestone. Each characteristic of the statue represents something, the striated tripartite wig he is wearing assimilates him to the living world as a dead king. The striped head cloth that covers the wig was used to cover all of his hair. This was a ritual that began to be used by kings in the fourth dynasty. The body is wrapped under a long robe, his hands are placed in a specific way. His right arm is horizontally displayed on his chest while his left arm is resting on his thigh. The placement of his arms are a resemblance to Khasekhem seat.{{sfn|Robins|2014|p=44}}{{sfn|Baker|Baker|2001|pp=17–19}} One of the oldest representations of the [[Nine bows]], and the first representation of the nine bows fully developed, is on the seated statue of Pharaoh Djoser. His feet rest upon part of the nine bows, which may have referred to [[Nubians]] during his reign because of their use of bows and arrows.{{sfnm|Poo|2012|1p=43|Bestock|2017|2p=149}}

=== Funerary complex ===
[[File:Djoser-pavillon-sud.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of king Djoser's funerary complex]]
The funerary complex is the first architectural project to be built entirely out of stone. This complex had fourteen entrances, but only one was functional. It is made up of the Great South Court, and the Heb-sed north court with Djoser's step pyramid in the center. The complex is enclosed by a 10.5-meter-high stone wall, referred to as the enclosure wall. Along with the main courts there is a roofed [[colonnade]] entrance within the south court and a [[serdab]] chamber that holds the seated statue of the king Djoser.{{sfn|Robins|2014|pp=40–44}}