"Saqqarah- a splendid site" a Saqqarah Travel Page by uglyscot

To me, Saqqarah is a magical site. The first time I saw it I was awestruck. Its position on the plateau and its white colour that day, left a lasting impression. When I take people to see the pyramids I always bring them here first, not just because the Step Pyramid was the first man made stone building, but because the whole necropolis has so much- to me it encapsulates the whole of Egyptian history.
The main pyramid here is the Step Pyramid of Zoser which I mention elsewhere. Other more dilapidated ones belong to Teti, Unas and Sekhemket and Pepi I and II. Those of Unas and Teti have passages from the Book of the Dead.
The Pyramid of Teti is easy to visit. It has a downward sloping passage [mind your head!] leading to 2 rooms. One contains a stone sarcophagus, and the blue painted ceiling is decorated with five-pointed stars.

If time does not allow a trip to Luxor, then Saqqarah is the place to visit. There are tombs that can be entered. The largest is that of Mereruka, who married a member of the royal family. It is beside the Pyramid of Teti, and has 32 rooms. The tomb shows all aspects of life from cooking, hunting and fishing, making gold ornaments, playing and wrestling, in addition to all the religious rites that had to be performed for the deceased,
The picture shows Mereruka stepping out of the false door.

Another, smaller and not so noticeable tomb is the mastaba of Ka Gemni, a minor official. [vizier] of the VI th Dynasty. It also has wall paintings, with scenes of everyday activities. There are fine scenes of birds and cattle. Different kinds of birds are easily recognizable.