Photos: Egypt reopens ancient Step Pyramid after renovations

The 4,700-year-old Step Pyramid of Djoser is reopened after 14 year-long restoration work

Last updated: March 09, 2020 | 17:40

Compiled by Balaram Menon, Senior Digital Content Producer

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Egyptian authorities reopened the 4,700-year-old Step Pyramid of Djoser to the public last week, after a 14-year restoration costing nearly $6.6 million.

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A tourist poses for a picture inside the Step Pyramid of Djoser. | The Pyramid, a UNESCO world heritage site, was constructed during the era of Pharaoh Djoser, one of Ancient Egypt's Third Dynasty kings.

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A security forces member stands guard as tourists walk around the Step Pyramid. | The roughly 60-metre-high Pyramid dominates the vast Saqqara necropolis south of Cairo, and is part of the ancient capital of Memphis.

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A journalist tours inside the Step Pyramid of Djoser. | Dating to 2,680 BC, the Djoser Pyramid was built under the direction of architect Imhotep.

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A 1992 earthquake caused considerable damage to the monument's interior. Renovations started in 2006 but were interrupted in 2011 and 2012 for 'security reasons', before resuming in 2013.

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Djoser's Step Pyramid, the first large-scale stone construction in history and the largest pyramidal funerary complex, is located at Saqqara archaeological site, west of Cairo.

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The 60-metre-high Pyramid consists of six stacked steps over a burial shaft tomb which is 28 metres deep and seven metres wide.

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A tourist takes a photograph in the inner hallway of the standing step pyramid of Saqqara after its renovation, south of Cairo

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A tourist jumps in front of the step pyramid of Djoser in Egypt's Saqqara necropolis, south of the capital Cairo

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Tourists take pictures at the burial chamber and sarcophagus of King Djoser inside the standing step pyramid of Saqqara

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Tourists pose for a photograph at the standing step pyramid of Saqqara

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Tourists tour inside the step pyramid of Djoser in Egypt's Saqqara necropolis

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Tourists pose for a picture inside the step pyramid of Djoser in Egypt's Saqqara necropolis

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A tourist descends the staircase leading to the inside of the standing step pyramid of Saqqara

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A woman tours inside the step pyramid of Djoser in Egypt's Saqqara necropolis

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Tourists visit the standing step pyramid of Saqqara after its renovation

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A tourists walks inside the step pyramid of Djoser in Egypt's Saqqara necropolis

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Tourists take pictures at the archaeological site of the standing step pyramid of Saqqara

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