2006.05.28_Giza Pyramids

The Great Sphinx


Solar ship of Khufu




Great Pyramids of Giza

Our journey of the necropolis region around Memphis continued on as we reached Giza. Probably the most iconic site in Egypt, the Great Pyramids and Sphinx of Giza is an obvious compulsory for all travelers in the Middle East.

The site of the Great Pyramids is quite large, despite its close proximity to the town of Giza. Unlike the image appears on most tourist brochure in which the Great Pyramids are always depicted situating in the middle of the desert, the ancient monuments are awfully close to modern roadways and bounded three sides by low-rise buildings of Giza. The site was crowded as expected, so as the plentiful tourist traps of camel rides and small attractions, and even the extra admission to get into the Great Pyramid itself seemed to us a ripoff. The small tombs dotted around the Great Pyramids were interesting, and we spent much time taking photos of the pyramids and the Sphinx. Unfortunately much of the Sphinx's body was covered with scaffolding.

The great surprise to me was the solar ship of Khufu. The life size timber boat made 4500 years ago was found in a pit at Khufu's pyramid. Supremely preserved, the ship might have carried Khufu's body from Memphis to Giza and then buried with the King. Many also believe that the ship carried symbol ritual values for the resurrected King to travel on the Nile and the heavens with the Sun God.

Outside the gate of the Great Pyramids, we waited for 1/2 hour for the bus bounded for Cairo. We told the taxi not to wait for us because we had no idea when we would be done visiting the pyramids. We weren't sure where to get off, but as long as the bus headed towards Cairo it should be fine.

2006.05.28_Dahshur and Memphis

Red Pyramid of Snofru with Bent Pyramid beyond, Dahshur


Egyptian hieroglyphics carved in granite, Memphis Museum


Statue of Ramses II, Memphis Museum

After Saqqara, we inteded to go to Abusir. We were told that Abusir was closed so we decided to go to Dahshur instead. Dahshur was another well-known necropolis that served the royal members of Memphis in the Old Kingdom. Known for the three unique pyramids, Dahshur is another unmissable site near Cairo if one is interested in Egyptian pyramids. Our taxi drove us to the three most prominent pyramids in Dahshur, including the Bent, Red and Black Pyramids. There wasn't much tourists at Dahshur, so we decided to pay the admission for entering the Red Pyramid, the oldest smooth plane pyramid.

The sloped ramp down to the burial chamber at the heart of the pyramid was narrow and dark. For the entire way I had to walk with my back bent down. The ramp was dark and there wasn't much head space in the tunnel. It was no easy feat to finally find our way into the not-so-impressive and small chambers at the heart. As predicted no artifacts were in display in the chamber. I found the chamber ceiling quite interesting. It was a neatly done ceiling coffer that reminded me of the stepped pyramid at Saqqara.

Our next stop was Memphis Museum to check out the enormous limestone statue of Ramses II. It lies in the feature gallery of small Memphis Museum.

2006.05.28_Saqqara

Entrance of a tomb


Wall painting in a tomb


Wall painting in a tomb


Main funeral complex at Saqqara


Stepped pyramid at Saqqara

At Luna Hotel, we hired a taxi for the day. Our intention was to take in a number of attractions in the outskirts of Cairo. Our first stop was Saqqara. Saqqara was a royal necropolis of some of the earliest Egyptian kings and nobles, mainly in the Old Kingdom when the administration and religious centre of the kingdom was in Memphis, the capital city of Lower Egypt. Before we headed to the world famous stepped pyramid of Djoser, a staff led us into one of the many tombs in the site. Inside the tomb, magnificent wall paintings are still preserved. Apart from reliefs that depict the royal members and divinities, I was particularly interested in the paintings that illustrate spiritual possessions and ceremonial feasts.

Outside the tomb, we reached the main funeral complex of Djoser's stepped pyramid. The complex was crowded with various tourist groups, each was led by a tour guide holding an umbrella and speaking with a microphone. We winded through the tourist groups while we passed through the funeral complex to reach the famous stepped pyramid. Out of all the mastabas and tombs in Saqqara, Djoser's stepped pyramid is certainly the most famous of all. The massive monument of cascade stone masonry, dated back to 27th century BC, is known as the earliest Egyptian pyramid in the world.