The Pyramid of Djoser, also known as the Step Pyramid, is widely recognized as the oldest pyramid still standing in the world. Located in the Saqqara necropolis in Egypt, it was built during the 27th century BC (c. 2670–2650 BC) for the burial of Pharaoh Djoser by his legendary architect, Imhotep. Unlike the smooth-sided Great Pyramids of Giza, Djoser’s pyramid consists of six distinct layers or "steps" of stone, rising roughly 62 meters high. In 2026, it remains a centerpiece of Egyptian tourism, having recently undergone a massive 14-year restoration project to stabilize its structure. It represents a pivotal moment in human history, marking the transition from simple mud-brick "mastaba" tombs to the monumental stone architecture that would define the Old Kingdom.
The Great Sphinx of Giza is a limestone statue of a reclining sphinx, a mythical creature with the head of a human and the body of a lion. Facing directly from west to east, it stands on the Giza Plateau on the west bank of the Nile in Giza, Egypt. The face of the Sphinx appears to represent the pharaoh Khafre.