Serapeum at Saqqara to Open in December
He spoke about the SCA’s continuation of Egyptologist Jean-Philippe Lauer’s restoration work at the site and how the north side of Djoser’s pyramid has been completely restored. Work is currently underway to restore the pyramid’s south side and next the west side will be cleared and excavated to prepare for it’s restoration in the near future.
He also mentioned the work that has been undertaken inside the pyramid and the efforts to restore the burial chamber in the heart of the pyramid. I was relieved to read that the burial vault of Djoser would be left where it is:
Inside the Step Pyramid, the burial chamber of Djoser was also in disrepair and very dangerous to enter. We decided the only way to save it was to construct a scaffolding to support the walls and the ceiling, so we brought in an English team to help with this work. We will not remove the king’s sarcophagus, but will leave it in the burial chamber and restore around it.
Readers will remember those alarming words spoken by Zahi Hawass in a previous video in which he told his assistant to break up the huge blocks that were preventing access to the burial vault:
“I said ‘Break it’! Sometimes a surgeon can’t make surgery,
he has to sacrifice for things to save the patient.We are saving the Step pyramid!”
“…I gave them the authority to make a decision
even if the decision could be wrong. But make a decision.”
Hopefully, this means that this “precious part of ancient Egypt’s legacy” will not be damaged afterall.
Hawass also mentioned the conservation efforts being made on Djoser’s South Tomb. It will be restored complete with it’s famous blue-green faience tiles.
Finally, the announcement was made that the SCA plans to open the Serapeum to the public in December of this year.
Read more at Dr Zahi Hawass’ blog: Restoring Saqqara
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