Which country has the most pyramids? No it is not Egypt which tops out at 118, it’s Sudan with 255. Nonetheless, having been to both countries Egypt is synonymous with pyramids and it has the oldest and largest in the world.
Our day begins at Saqqara at the Step pyramid of the pharoah Djoser. Built in the 27th century BC ( a staggering 48 centuries ago!) it is the oldest standing stone structure on the planet. Built as 6 mastabas (tombs) atop of each other it is the prototype of subsequent pyramids. It is surrounded by a funerary temple and other less well preserved pyramids. Wandering through these structures with ancient frescos depicting the royals buried there and the lifestyles of the average people in those times brings memories flooding back from my trip through Egypt in 1982.
Nearby is the Serapeum necropolis dedicated to sacred Apis bulls. It is an underground chamber with 24 massive sarcophagi weighing up to 62 tons. How the ancient Egyptians in 1400 BC moved these massive structures underground is still a mystery.
Finally for the day we have left the best till last. The pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx are one of the most recognisable structures in the world. Built in 2500 BC the great pyramid of Cheops is the largest in the world. This is my third visit to Giza and it does not fail to blow me away.
