Restoring Saqqara

Originally published October 17, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass

In this article at Zahi Hawass' blog, Dr. Hawass describes the Saqqara necropolis, details his impressions on it and its place in history, and reveals upcoming and ongoing restorative efforts on the historic site.

Opening Djoser’s Burial Vault

Originally published June 26, 2009 | Talking Pyramids

This blog post features information on the possibility of the burial vault in Djoser's Step Pyramid being open to the public. It features a video and links to other resources.

Archaeological Discovery in Saqqara

Originally published June 24, 2009 | Egypt State Information Service

More on the discoveries found near the Step Pyramid in Saqqara, including thoughts one what each purpose of the artifacts found could have been.

The following is the original press release from Zahi Hawass' blog.

Press Release - New Discoveries at Saqqara

Originally published June 24, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass

While performing routine conservation work, Egyptian archaeologists stumble upon some artifacts inside a deep hole near the southern side of the Step Pyramid, the likes of which are illustrated in pictures in this press release.

How Where the Pyramids Built?

Originally published May 20, 2009 | Talk Pyramids Blog

This 6-part blog post on Talk Pyramids announces a new model at the Boston Museum that shows how the pyramids were built according to the external spiral ramp theory. Following this small blurb and accompanying photo, are a handful of other blog posts that describe previous theories on Egyptian pyramid building. They include:

1. Donald B. Redford's traditional theory, where a mud brick ramp was employed, oiled to help teams of oxen and men, not slaves, bring up blocks of limestone, and where local limestone served as the pyramid core and finer quality limestone as the casing
2. A docudrama from the BBC entitled Building the Great Pyramid.
3. John Romer's unique theory based on the traditional theory, documented in a video entitled Secrets of the Great Pyramid
4. The cement pyramid theory, first introduced by David Davidovitts, where he states that the Egyptians used limestone-based concrete to create perfectly formed blocks, using the Famine Stele as his proof. His theory was later supported by Michel Barsoum who proved it with science and by Linn Hobbs' team that tested the theory in creating their own concrete limestone block.
5. Jean-Pierre Houdin's internal ramp theory, inspired by the spiral ramp theory, that he hopes to prove with technology.
6. And Mark Lehner's theory that it was a band of Egyptians and not slaves who built the pyramids, using the remains of a "pyramid city" nearby as his evidence.