The necropolis of Saqqara is not only one of the oldest, but also one of the two largest in Ancient Egypt. It served Memphis, the first capital of the united state from the time of the Old Kingdom through the Late Period and the Greco-Roman era. Incomparable with its richly decorated tombs and majestic pyramids, it has been the subject of continuous research and excavation since the middle of the 19th century until today. The detailed but fascinating monograph by the famous French Egyptologist Jean-Philippe Lauer (1902-2001) tells about the work of the archaeologists and the results achieved up to the mid-1970s, including his own research for decades.
Thе monograph describes the excavations at Saqqara in detail (what was found, where it was found, when it was found, and who found it). Mastabas and other religious buildings at Saqqara were built from the Early Dynastic Period up through the Christian period circa 1000 B.P. (1000 A.D.). Therefore, only the material that covers the Early Dynastic Period or that may show what life was like during the Early Dynastic Period was indexed for OCM (Outline of Cultural Materials) subjects. Of primary interest for the Early Dynastic Egypt reader are the royal necropolis of the 1st dynasty, the funerary complex of King Zoser (the step pyramid and his HEB-SED complex), and the funerary complex of King Sekhemkhet. Photographs of some of the writing and artwork from tombs of later periods are especially useful for scenes of daily life, such as fowling, hunting, harvesting, making bread, craftsmen at work, etc.