2630 BC

Events in 2630 BC 1

• 2650 BC – 2630 BC Step Pyramid of Djoser -- the first pyramid The Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara (c.2650-2630 BC), designed by Imhotep, is the world's first large-scale stone monument and the prototype for all later pyramids. Beginning as a mastaba (flat-topped rectangular tomb), it is expanded six times into a six-stepped pyramid 62 metres high -- the first time Egyptians build in cut stone on a monumental scale rather than mud brick. The surrounding complex -- including a mortuary temple, a serdab (statue chamber), a Heb-Sed court and dummy buildings -- covers 15 hectares and is enclosed by a niched limestone wall 1.6km in circumference. It establishes the template for royal funerary architecture that Khufu and his successors will develop to its ultimate expression.