A Close Look at the Step Pyramid Restoration Project

Saqqara is one of the most famous heritage sites and the Step Pyramid, the symbol of Saqqara, is the oldest stone building all over the world. It was built to be a tomb, where the first king from the third dynasty-Zoser-could be buried, by the famous ancient Egyptian architect Imhotep. The height of the Step Pyramid is about 60 m and it has six steps. No enormous restoration or conservation work was performed on those steps until the year 2006 when a large conservation and restoration project was started by an Egyptian company. The pyramid's stability was threatened as it collapsed in some parts, especially the first step in the north façade and burial shaft. A scientific study was performed to investigate the deterioration factors that affected the pyramid, and make a plan of conservation and restoration. There are some deterioration forms that are obvious on the outside of the Step Pyramid. The environmental sand which the wind carried caused a great load on the edges, and this affected the pyramid's stability. Losing the mortar caused many stones to fall or move from their original places with large gaps, especially at the first step in the south and north façade. The four corners of the pyramids are not in a strong position of stability: the deterioration on the surface of many stones caused the surface to turn into fine chaps. The pyramid's inside has many problems, especially the ceiling of the burial shaft and underground galleries which are carved in clay layers and filled with debris. Conservation and restoration work in the pyramid has been subjected to international standards of restoration and conservation. These papers deal with the outer conservation and restoration work