Saqqara (Arabic: سقارة‎, Egyptian Arabic pronunciation: [sɑʔˈʔɑːɾɑ]), also spelled Sakkara or Saccara in English /səˈkɑːrə/, is an Egyptian village in Giza Governorate, that's known for its vast, ancient burial ground of Egyptian pharaohs (kings) and royals, serving as the necropolis for the ancient Egyptian capital, ...

Is Saqqara tomb fake?

No, the dig we follow in Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb is a real excavation that has been taking place in Egypt. The discovery of the 4,400-year-old tomb was announced in November 2018 and the Netflix team was quickly on-hand to document the various stages of excavation.

What is the significance of Saqqara?

Saqqara, the sweeping necropolis and pyramid field of Memphis, the first Capital of Egypt, has been an important historical site for 5,000 years of Egyptian history.

Why is Saqqara buried?

Pilgrims would bring offerings, and they vied for burial spaces for themselves and their families near the ancient, sacred tombs. “Saqqara would have been the place to be seen dead in,” says Price. “It had this numinous, divine energy that would help you get into the afterlife.”

What did they find at the end of the Saqqara tomb?

On September 6, Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced that more than 13 intact and sealed coffins were discovered in Saqqara, which is considered massive discovery. The discovered coffins were found inside an 11-metre deep shaft, where three sealed niches were also found.

The Mummification Process

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What happened to Saqqara?

The Saqqara necropolis is at once a center of the country's aspirations and of its subterranean secrets. It was part of the burial grounds for the ancient capital, Memphis, its ruins now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Can you visit Saqqara tomb?

The necropolis of Saqqara is the starting point of the architecture of ancient Egypt, it is the primordial necropolis, which contains the tombs of the pharaohs of the first dynasties. ... Saqqara can be visited very easily, it is only fifteen kilometers south of the famous necropolis of Giza.

Why was Saqqara built?

It was built in the 27th century BC during the Third Dynasty for the burial of Pharaoh Djoser. The pyramid is the central feature of a vast mortuary complex in an enormous courtyard surrounded by ceremonial structures and decoration.

What does Saqqara mean in Arabic?

Familiarity information: SAQQARA used as a noun is very rare. Dictionary entry details. • SAQQARA (noun) Meaning: A town in northern Egypt; site of the oldest Egyptian pyramids.

Who built Saqqara pyramid?

Djoser's vizier, Imhotep conceived of building a tomb for his king by stacking mastabas on top of one another to form the shape now known as the Step Pyramid. Little is known of Djoser's reign. He is thought to be the son of the last king of the Second Dynasty of Egypt, Khasekhemwy (c.

Is Saqqara in Memphis?

Ṣaqqārah. Ṣaqqārah, also spelled Saqqara or Sakkara, part of the necropolis of the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis, 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Cairo and west of the modern Arab village of Ṣaqqārah.

Is Saqqara a city?

Saqqara is located near the entrance of the Nile Delta, at the point where the river starts dividing into several arms, on the west bank of the Nile.

Is Saqqara tomb open to public?

The tomb is now open to the public. Besides the Southern Tomb, the Saqqara plateau hosts at least 11 pyramids, including the Step, as well as hundreds of tombs of ancient officials and other sites that range from the 1st Dynasty (2920-2770 B.C.) to the Coptic period (A.D. 395-642).

Is Secrets of the Saqqara tomb a real documentary?

Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb is a 2020 British documentary film directed by James Tovell. The film follows a team of Egyptian archeologists that discover a tomb from the 25th century BC in the Saqqara necropolis, just outside of Cairo that had been untouched for 4,400 years.

What was the last Egyptian tomb discovered?

The discovery of a 3,000-year-old city that was lost to the sands of Egypt has been hailed as one of the most important archaeological finds since Tutankhamun's tomb. Famed Egyptologist Zahi Hawass announced the discovery of the "lost golden city" near Luxor on Thursday.

When was Saqqara built?

The Step Pyramid was built in the 27th century BC during the 3rd dynasty rule of Djoser. It is the first pyramid built in Egypt and while it is not a 'true pyramid' with smooth sides, like those at Giza and Dahshur, it remains an important stepping stone in their development.

How old is the Saqqara pyramid?

It was built about 4,700 years ago. Constructed at Saqqara about 4,700 years ago, the Step Pyramid of Djoser was the first pyramid the Egyptians built.

Where is Saqqara in Egypt?

Located south of Cairo, Saqqara was the vast necropolis of the Ancient Egyptian capital, Memphis, and is home to the nation's oldest pyramid: the Step Pyramid of Djoser. Aside from being home to Egypt's oldest pyramid, Saqqara is the largest archaeological site in the country.

What did Sekhmet look like?

She was usually depicted as a lioness or as a woman with the head of a lioness, on which was placed the solar disk and the uraeus serpent. Sekhmet was sometimes identified with other Egyptian goddesses, such as Hathor, Bastet, and Mut.

How much does it cost to go to Saqqara?

Admission to Saqqara – which includes entry to the Step Pyramid of Djoser and the on-site Imhotep Museum – costs 80 Egyptian pounds ($9) for adults and 40 Egyptian pounds (less than $5) for students. Restrooms are available by the parking lot, and vendors sell water and souvenirs near the site's entrance.

How many Sphinx are in Egypt?

In ancient Egypt there are three distinct types of sphinx: The Androsphinx, with the body of a lion and head of person; a Criosphinx, body of a lion with the head of ram; and Hierocosphinx, that had a body of a lion with a head of a falcon or hawk.

Who built Luxor Temple?

Dating back to 1392 BCE, the temple was built on the east bank of the Nile River and is dedicated to the deities Mut, Khonsu, and Amun. Its construction was begun by Pharaoh Amenhotep III and was completed by Pharaoh Tutankhamun. Containing ten sections, Luxor Temple is massive.

What was found in Saqqara?

Saqqara, home to more than a dozen pyramids, ancient monasteries and animal burial sites, was a vast necropolis of the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis that has become a Unesco world heritage site. In November, Egypt announced the discovery of more than 100 intact sarcophagi, in the largest such find of the year.

Do Egyptian mummies smell?

Kydd recently sniffed mummies in the basement of the University of Michigan's Kelsey Museum of Archaeology and came to this conclusion: "Mummies don't smell like decomposition, but they don't smell like Chanel No.