The Step Pyramid: House of Stone

As you enter the pyramid complex you approach the south side of the pyramid across a great courtyard. This courtyard used to serve as a running field for the King's Sed Festival during which the king would demonstrate to the people his continuing physical prowess and ability.

As you round the right side of the pyramid you face its east side. In later pyramids this side would contain the Mortuary temple. In this prototype pyramid complex there is no Mortuary temple.

The north side contains the opening of the pyramid. Throughout the pyramid age, most pyramids would continue this pattern of an opening on the north side. Later we will see pictures of the opening into the pyramid itself.

Here is the pyramid as it appears from the west side.