Definition

Proper noun A town in northern Egypt, located near Cairo. It is the site of an extensive ancient burial ground, serving as the necropolis for the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis. Sakkara is renowned for containing the Step Pyramid of Djoser, widely considered the oldest complete stone building complex and the earliest colossal stone structure in Egypt, making it a pivotal site in the history of pyramid construction.

Usage

• Sakkara is a significant archaeological site for Egyptologists.
• The Step Pyramid at Sakkara predates the more famous pyramids at Giza.
• Many tourists visit Sakkara to see the beginnings of ancient Egyptian monumental architecture.

Advanced Usage

• The necropolis of Sakkara: This phrase refers to the entire ancient burial complex surrounding the town, which includes not only pyramids but also mastabas (flat-roofed tombs) of nobles and high officials.
• The Sakkara site: A common term used in archaeological and historical contexts to discuss the findings and structures located in this area.

Variants and Related Words

• Saqqara: The more common modern transliteration and spelling used in English-language texts.
• Saqqarah: An alternative historical spelling.

Synonyms

• Memphite necropolis: A broader term for the burial grounds associated with the ancient city of Memphis, which includes Sakkara as a primary site.

Noun

1. a town in northern Egypt; site of the oldest Egyptian pyramids