PM directs to quickly finish renovation of Djoser Pyramid

CAIRO, Jan 2 (MENA) - Prime Minister and Housing Minister Moustafa Madbouli gave directives to quickly get done with the renovation of the Pyramid of Djoser by the end of June.

This came during Madbouli's visit on Tuesday to Saqqara archaeological area to stand on the progress done in the renovation projects there.

Madbouli was accompanied by Minister of Antiquities Khaled el Anani, Giza Governor Ahmed Rashid and Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Moustafa Waziri.

The Pyramid of Djoser (or Djeser and Zoser), or Step Pyramid is an archaeological remain in the Saqqara necropolis northwest of the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis. The earliest colossal stone building in Egypt, it was built in the 27th century BC during the Third Dynasty for the burial of Pharaoh Djoser by his vizier, Imhotep. The pyramid is the central feature of a vast mortuary complex in an enormous courtyard surrounded by ceremonial structures and decoration.

The pyramid consisted of six mastabas (of decreasing size) built atop one another in what were clearly revisions and developments of the original plan. The pyramid originally stood 62.5 metres (205 ft) tall, with a base of 109 m × 121 m (358 ft × 397 ft) and was clad in polished white limestone.(MENA)