Saqqara, some 30 kilometers south of modern-day Cairo, served as the necropolis for the ancient Egyptian capital, Memphis. The burial ground features several pyramids, including the world-famous step pyramid of Djoser — the oldest stone building complex known in history, built during the 27th century BC for the burial of Pharaoh Djoser.
We were lucky to visit it, some 24 years ago. I saw recently on TV that the pyramid’s state of dilapidation, for lack of maintenance funds, was alarming.
