The Pyramid of Djoser

The Pyramid of Djoser, which is said to be Egypt's earliest stone pyramid, was just just reopened to the public following a careful repair that took more than 14 years and $6.6 million to complete. The first perpendicular tomb for the Pharaoh Djoser, the 197-foot (60-meter) edifice was reportedly constructed and built almost 4,700 years ago by the architect Imhotep.

The inside of the pyramid is actually a void network of walkways over 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) long that were constructed using more than 11.6 million cubic feet (328,500 cubic meters) of stone and clay, despite the fact that the outside of the pyramid gives the impression that it is a compact mountain of stone.

In actuality, as time passed, the intricate interior inexorably compromised its structural stability, and the earthquake that struck Cairo in 1992 nearly destroyed its foundation. Airbags created by structural experts were installed across the most susceptible areas of the pyramid to ensure structural safety throughout the restoration.

To assist it maintain its shape, steel rods were also ran through the steps like rebar. The restoration workers were able to rebuild the hallways and ceilings and install a new framework for interior illumination thanks to these various fortification strategies. Additionally, they made a few contemporary changes to the building to improve accessibility for those with impairments.

• Country: Egypt