Saqqara Necropolis: development from the Old Kingdom to the Late Period (c. 2686–332 BCE)

1. Psamtik I expands Serapeum with “Greater Vaults”

   Jan 1, 6640 BCELabels: Psamtik I, Serapeum

   • Serapeum

2. 26th Dynasty officials build major Saqqara rock tombs

   Jan 1, 6500 BCELabels: 26th Dynasty, Bakenrenef

   • Bakenrenef
   • Ahram Weekly

3. Sacred Animal Necropolis grows in the Late Period

   Jan 1, 6000 BCELabels: Sacred Animals, Animal Necropolis

   • MDPI Study

4. Djoser begins Saqqara’s stone royal complex

   Jan 1, 2667 BCELabels: Djoser, Mortuary Complex

   • Britannica

5. The Step Pyramid complex is built and expanded

   Jan 1, 2655 BCELabels: Step Pyramid, Funerary Complex

   • Britannica

6. Sekhemkhet’s unfinished step pyramid follows Djoser

   Jan 1, 2645 BCELabels: Sekhemkhet, Unfinished Pyramid

   • Buried Pyramid

7. Userkaf returns royal pyramids to Saqqara

   Jan 1, 2494 BCELabels: Userkaf, North Saqqara

   • Userkaf Pyramid

8. Unas introduces Pyramid Texts at Saqqara

   Jan 1, 2350 BCELabels: Unas, Pyramid Texts

   • Egypt MoTA
   • Pyramid Texts

9. Teti builds a Sixth Dynasty pyramid complex

   Jan 1, 2340 BCELabels: Teti, Sixth Dynasty

   • Teti Pyramid
   • UCL Petrie

10. Pepi I continues Pyramid Texts tradition at Saqqara

    Jan 1, 2290 BCELabels: Pepi I, South Saqqara

    • Pepi I Pyramid
    • UCL Petrie

11. Saqqara shifts toward ongoing elite burials

    Jan 1, 2181 BCELabels: Elite Burials, Reuse

    • Britannica

12. First Apis bull burials begin at the Serapeum

    Jan 1, 1350 BCELabels: Apis, Serapeum

    • Serapeum

13. Khaemweset organizes new Serapeum galleries

    Jan 1, 1250 BCELabels: Khaemweset, Ramesses II

    • Serapeum

14. Late Period Saqqara becomes a layered, reused landscape

    Jan 1, 332 BCELabels: Late Period, Saqqara Palimpsest

    • MDPI Study
    • Serapeum