The Present Condition of Saqqara Monuments from the Beginning of First Dynasty to the End of Old Kingdom

Egypt has many ancient names. The famous names are "Tawy" that means the Two Lands, or "Kemet" that means Black Land. Saqqara used to be a part of the big necropolis of Memphis. Ancient Egyptians rested their bodies after death for their eternal life. Saqqara is one of the most important archaeological sites in Egypt. The monuments of this area are suffering from the effects of climate changes, human activities, variations in groundwater level, the problems of earthquakes and the geology of Saqqara plateau. Saqqara has a very long history, beginning with the unification of Egypt around 3200 B.C. From the point of conservation, Saqqara monuments can be divided into several categories according to the stability of its monuments. Those monuments include tombs of kings and queens, and tombs of sacred animals and privet tombs. Those in turn can be classified into superstructure and substructure buildings. Over the years, all types of monuments, both in its superstructure and substructure, suffered from severe deterioration due to natural and/or manmade phenomena that are caused by several forms and factors. Those natural/manmade factors include falling, separating, deterioration of rocks, weathering, humidity and temperature fluctuation and the added stress from our modern civilization. The following paper discusses the factors and forms of deterioration, the treatment methodology, and the measures to protect and maintain Egyptian monuments taken by the SCA and other restoration missions in Egypt.