Imhotep architect and high priest of Ra

Imhotep architect and high 

priest of Ra

The high priest of Ra Imhotep reached its peak in the late period when he was elevated to a deity and established his own cult temples and priesthood at the local level Saqqara One of the high priests of the sun god Ra at Halioupolis little is known about Imhotep's history The Egyptian philosopher and scientist is credited with being the first architect and physician in recorded history of ancient Egypt His meticulous construction reflects the perfection of his craft Two thousand years later Imhotep survived King Djoser as his name appears in the next dynasty King Shechemket of Saqqara Imhotep's popularity is confirmed by the small temple at Philae in Aswan dating back to the reign of Ptolemaios V

Imhotep one of Djoser's architects is a stepped pyramid complex surrounded by a rampart a stone structure a burial chamber a mortuary temple and a sanctuary all in one place Imhotep's tomb is likely hidden somewhere in Saqqara An Egyptian village in the Giza Governorate is believed to be the site of an ancient tomb belonging to an ancient Egyptian royal and its location remains unknown despite attempts to locate it Imhotep's burial is confirmed by two contemporary inscriptions created during his lifetime on the base or pedestal of one of the statues of Pharaoh Djoser Numerous bronze statues and sculptures of Imhotep date back to the New Kingdom and the first millennium BC.

Mummy Imhotep Museum Saqqara

The Step Pyramid is considered a significant step forward in ancient Egyptian architecture Wearing a veil he kneels and reads from unfolded papyrus reflecting vision and wisdom Imhotep was revered as a philosopher and was one of the few commoners to be deified posthumously by Egyptians The cult of the architect continued into the Greco-Roman era Imhotep was one of the few common Egyptians to be deified posthumously Imhotep's medical and healing abilities date back to the 13th dynasty during the reign of Pharaoh Sekh-Emre Kutawi and Sobekhotep I These practices were non-magical and since Imhotep's posthumous practice as a physician he was considered the author of wisdom texts Imhotep stood out from the crowd in ancient times in part because his practices differed from those of his contemporaries