<Tr> <Th> Inscription </Th> <Td> 1979 (3rd Session) </Td> </Tr> <P> The Pyramid of Djoser (or Djeser and Zoser), or step pyramid (kbhw - ntrw in Egyptian) is an archeological remain in the Saqqara necropolis, Egypt, northwest of the city of Memphis . It was built ca . 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 . </P> <P> This first Egyptian 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 metres (203 ft) tall, with a base of 109 m × 125 m (358 ft × 410 ft) and was clad in polished white limestone . The step pyramid (or proto - pyramid) is considered to be the earliest large - scale cut stone construction, although the pyramids at Caral in South America are contemporary and the nearby enclosure known as Gisr el - Mudir would seem to predate the complex . </P> <P> Djoser was the first or second king of the 3rd Dynasty (ca . 2667 to 2648 BC) of the Egyptian Old Kingdom (ca . 2686 to 2125 BC). He is believed to have ruled for 19 years or, if the 19 years were biennial taxation years, 38 years . He reigned long enough to allow the grandiose plan for his pyramid to be realized in his lifetime . </P>

The djoser pyramid was unique in the old kingdom in being