Examining Practice: The Djoser's Step Pyramid

The pyramids are renowned ancient Egyptian structures and continue to capture widespread fascination. These impressive tributes to Egyptian pharaohs are synonymous with the country, despite other cultures like the Chinese and Mayans also constructing pyramids. The development of pyramid architecture has been debated for centuries, but it indisputably began with a single monument built by one skilled architect for one king: the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara.

B

Djoser ruled as the first king of Egypt's Third Dynasty and pioneered the use of stone in construction. Before Djoser, tombs were rectangular structures made of sun-dried mud bricks covering underground chambers for burial. For reasons not entirely clear, Djoser's chief official, Imhotep, proposed a taller and more impressive tomb by stacking stone slabs on top of each other in decreasing sizes, resulting in the iconic Step Pyramid. Djoser's reign is estimated at 19 years, though some historians argue it was longer due to the extensive monuments he commissioned.

C

The Step Pyramid has undergone thorough examination over the past century, revealing a complex building process with multiple developmental stages. Historian Marc Van de Mieroop notes, 'Extensive experimentation occurred, particularly evident in the central pyramid's construction. Several plans were considered ... before it evolved into history's first Step Pyramid, consisting of six stacked levels. The sheer weight posed a challenge for builders who placed the stones at an inward incline to prevent structural failure.'

D

Upon its completion, the Step Pyramid reached a height of 62 meters, making it the tallest structure of its era. The complex, equivalent in size to a city in ancient Egypt, encompassed a temple, courtyards, shrines, and housing for priests. It spanned 16 hectares and was encircled by a 10.5-meter-high wall. This wall featured 13 false doors and only one true entrance, strategically placed at the southeast corner. Surrounding the wall was a trench measuring 750 meters long and 40 meters wide, further deterring unwanted visitors. Access required knowledge of the precise location of the true entrance. Djoser's pride in his achievement was such that he departed from tradition, inscribing Imhotep's name alongside his own on the monument.

E

The burial chamber within the tomb, where the king's body was laid to rest, was excavated beneath the pyramid's base and protected by an intricate maze of tunnels with chambers branching off, designed to deter thieves. Among the most intriguing discoveries within the pyramid were numerous stone vessels. Over 40,000 vessels of varying forms and materials were found in storerooms connected to the pyramid's underground passages. Inscribed with the names of rulers from the First and Second Dynasties of Egypt, these vessels remain a subject of debate among scholars and archaeologists regarding their purpose in Djoser's tomb. Jean-Philippe Lauer, the archaeologist who extensively excavated the pyramid and complex, suggests they were originally stored and later ceremonially buried by Djoser to honor his predecessors. Other historians speculate the vessels were deposited in the shafts as an additional measure against tomb raiders.

F

Despite the elaborate precautions and intricate design of the underground labyrinth, ancient robbers managed to infiltrate the tomb. Djoser's funerary goods, and even his body, were stolen at some point in the past, leaving behind only a few overlooked valuables for archaeologists to discover. Nonetheless, the remnants scattered throughout the pyramid and its complex continue to astound and captivate those who excavate them.

G

Egyptologist Miroslav Verner asserts, 'Few monuments hold as significant a place in human history as the Step Pyramid at Saqqara... It is no exaggeration to say that this pyramid complex marks a milestone in the evolution of monumental stone architecture in Egypt and worldwide.' The Step Pyramid represented a groundbreaking advancement in architecture and set the standard for all subsequent pyramid builders in Egypt.

Questions 14-20

Reading Passage 2 has seven paragraphs, A-G.

Match each paragraph to the appropriate heading from the provided list.

Write the correct number, i-ix, in boxes 14-20 on your answer sheet.

List of Headings

i     The areas and artefacts within the pyramid itself

ii     A difficult task for those involved

iii     A king who saved his people

iv     A single certainty among other less definite facts

v     An overview of the external buildings and areas

vi     A pyramid design that others copied

vii     An idea for changing the design of burial structures

viii     An incredible experience despite the few remains

ix     The answers to some unexpected questions

14   Paragraph A

15   Paragraph B

16   Paragraph C

17   Paragraph D

18   Paragraph E

19   Paragraph F

20   Paragraph G

Questions 21-24

Fill in the blanks below.

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 21-24 on your answer sheet.

The Pyramid of Djoser

The complex that includes the Step Pyramid and its surroundings is considered to be as big as an Egyptian 21 ………………….. of the past. The area outside the pyramid included accommodation that was occupied by 22 ………………….., along with many other buildings and features.

A wall ran around the outside of the complex and a number of false entrances were built into this. In addition, a long 23 ………………….. encircled the wall. As a result, any visitors who had not been invited were cleverly prevented from entering the pyramid grounds unless they knew the 24 ………………….. of the real entrance.

Questions 25-26

Choose TWO letters, A-E.

Write the correct letters in boxes 25 and 26 on your answer sheet.

Which TWO of the following points does the writer make about King Djoser?

A   Initially he had to be persuaded to build in stone rather than clay.

B   There is disagreement concerning the length of his reign.

C   He failed to appreciate Imhotep’s part in the design of the Step Pyramid.

D   A few of his possessions were still in his tomb when archaeologists found it.

E   He criticised the design and construction of other pyramids in Egypt.

Responses

14. iv (Đoạn A, “The evolution of the pyramid form has been written and argued about for centuries. … by one brilliant architect)

15. vii (Đoạn B, “conceived of building a taller, … making them smaller, to form the shape now known as the Step Pyramid”

16. ii (Đoạn C, “The weight of the enormous mass was a challenge for the builders”)

17. v (Đoạn D, đoạn D bắt đầu với việc mô tả kim tự tháp, cao bao nhiêu, vị trí như thế nào, cấu trúc ra sao … Sau đó mô tả phần bên ngoài, cửa ra vào, tường)

18. i (Đoạn E đề cập đến phần bên trong của lăng mộ như phòng, hàng nghìn bình đá)

19. viii (Đoạn F, “There was enough left throughout the pyramid and its complex, however, to astonish and amaze the archaeologists who excavated it”).

20. vi (Đoạn G,“… and became the archetype which all the other great pyramid builders of Egypt would follow”)

21. City (Đoạn D, “The complex in which it was built was the size of a city in ancient Egypt and included a temple, courtyards, shrines, and living quarters for the priests”)

22. Priests (Đoạn D, “included a temple, courtyards, shrines, and living quarters for the priests”)

23. Trench (Đoạn D, “the entire wall was then ringed by a trench 750 meters long and 40 meters wide”)

24. Location (Đoạn D, “If someone wished to enter, he or she would have needed to know in advance how to find the location of the true opening in the wall…”)