 |
~Memphis, Saqqara and the Pyramids of Giza~
|
|
MEMPHIS, STATUE OF RAMSES II
|
|
|
|
~ MEMPHIS, SAQQARA AND GIZA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The extraordinary day that culminated with our private time in the King’s Chamber of the Great Pyramid began in the ancient city of Memphis. Memphis began its history as the first capital of Egypt about 5000 years ago as a dedicated center of the cult of Ptah, the ancient Egyptian god who is said to have called creation into being. At its height, Memphis is thought to have been the largest city in the world with as many as 30,000 residents. The metropolis of Memphis thrived until about 1300 B.C., and very little remains today of this ancient city whose stones were harvested for nearby settlements many hundreds of years ago.
In the gardens of Memphis, a large statue of Ramses II holds sentinel beside a graceful palm tree. A beautiful but somewhat aged alabaster sphinx is a highlight of the artifacts in Memphis. It is the largest sphinx ever carved from one single block of alabaster. The entrance of a temple dedicated to Ptah was once guarded by this sphinx, as well as two colossal statues of Ramses II. One has been moved to Cairo, and the other lies on its back in the small museum built around it where tourists linger for pictures. Memphis is situated between Giza, the site of the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx, and Saqqara, the location of the amazing step pyramid of Zoser and funerary complex.
EGYPT, STEP PYRAMID OF SAQQARA
I had been introduced to the energies of Saqqara in a video by Barbara Hand Clow that focused on nine initiations at sacred sites along the Nile. The energies of Saqqara were described as healing energies, and this did indeed feel right when we visited the site. Sections of the ceilings of the hypostyle hall at Saqqara were unique to any of the sites that we visited, and were comprised of thick cylinders of stone laid side by side, suspended above one’s head. They felt like transmitters and storehouses of healing energy.
EGYPT, CEILING AT SAQQARA
The current belief of Egyptologists is that the impressive step pyramid at Saqqara was designed and built by Imhotep for King Zoser about 2650 B.C. As many as 16 other pyramids and structures that served as tombs also remain scattered around the vast site in various states of preservation. We walked counterclockwise around the base of the huge step pyramid hand-in-hand, marveling at its construction, and feeling its energy. It felt familiar and comfortable for me in Saqqara, and we appreciated the relative quiet and lack of tourists there.
Saqqara's place as an active burial ground for over 3000 years stands alone in Egypt. Many pharaohs remains were entombed here, as well as hundreds of their court and family members. The stonework at Saqqara was a shift away from more perishable building materials in Egypt, and stands as a great achievement in architectural style that revolutionized building throughout the country. The stoneworking techniques developed in Saqqara have stood the test of time.
|
