Egypt's Djoser Pyramid Reopens After Restoration

Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly, Egyptian minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled El-Anany, and Egyptian Housing Minister Assem Elgazar inaugurate the Djoser Pyramid after the completion of its restoration. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

The Step Pyramid is the highlight of Saqqara's monuments. It's the oldest monumental stone building in history and Egypt's oldest pyramid. It was commissioned by Djoser (c.2648-2667 BC), the second king of the Third Dynasty. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Stone blocks that had loosened were restored, and gaps between the blocks were filled with the same material that had been used in the construction of the pyramid. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

A statue of King Netjerykhet (C2667-2648BC), also known as Djoser, inside a stone booth near the Djoser Pyramid's entrance. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

The walls of the deteriorated underground passages were injected with reinforcing materials or other conservation methods. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Walls were also reinforced with steel beams. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Corridors were secured and all rubble was manually removed. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

The removal of rubble revealed the entirety of this granite sarcophagus and guaranteed its structural stability. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Loose ceiling blocks were reconnected by filling the gaps between them with lime mortar, a material similar in composition to the original mortar. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

The Egyptian cabinet invited a group of ambassadors and foreign diplomats to the opening to promote Egypt's tourism sites and garner international support for upcoming restoration projects. (H. Elrasam/VOA)