The Perimeter Wall

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(Note: all dimensions to be verified.) The Perimeter Bastion Wall surrounded the Djoser Pyramid complex and covers an area of 15 hectares, stands about 10.5 Meters high (±34.448 feet) and was approximately 1,645 meters long (approximate dimensions: East side: ±548.000M with 4 false entry bastions and one true entry near the SE corner; North side: ±278.000M with 3 false entry bastions; West side: ±548.000M with 4 false entry bastions; South side:±271.000M with 3 false entry bastions) (Alternative dimensions: 277 by 544 meters (908 by 1,784 feet)). Because of the height of this perimeter wall in relationship to lower interior structures, there would of been the necessity for access of some kind. It is hard to know if the upper platform of the perimeter wall was occupied, perhaps by soldiers. The perimeter wall and it's detailing has been compared to earlier palaces. (provide examples) (post reconstruction image of perimeter wall-how?)


 * Entrance Bastion: There is one main entrance bastion (±10.380M wide x ±5.040M deep) located near the South East corner which leads into a colonnade with a small opening (±0.980 meters wide x ±3.600M high) that leads into the colonnade. This is the only bastion which project further out from the main perimeter wall which allows it to increase its number of niches from 2 to 4.  The top of the wall, as is indicated in a partial reconstruction (by Lerner???-date?) shows a small parapet   (±0.457 meters high or 1'-6") and a path which would presumably circumnavigate the entire structure.


 * False Entry Bastions: There were other 14 false entry bastions which project out from the main perimeter wall (7 front niches x 2 side niches each side = 11 total niches per false bastion) that are approximately 10.380 meters long by ± 2.800 meters deep.


 * Corner Bastions: These appear to be 2 niches on all sides (8 niches total) but look to have a wider 'solid' piece of wall at the very corner. They are also approximately 2.800 meters deep.


 * Single Bastions: The perimeter wall consists mostly of smaller 'single' bastions with 2 niches on the front and 2 on each side (6 total). They are approximately 2.800 meters deep by 3.500 meters wide and spaced approximately 7.262 meters center to center. They provide a small amount of space on the top of the wall, in the path area, of about 2.100 meters wide.  To count the number of single bastions... starting from the SE corner and moving North in a counter-clockwise motion, the layout is as follows: East Side (SE corner to NE corner): corner bastion-2-entry-21-false-22-false-6-false-6-false-6-corner = 63 single bastions. North side (NE corner to NW corner): corner-8-false-8-false-7-false-8-corner = 31 single bastions.  West side (NW corner to SW corner): corner-14-false-13-false-13-false-13-false-13-corner = 66 single bastions. South side (SW corner to SE corner): corner-8-false-8-false-3-false-12-corner = 31 single bastions.  Counting up all single bastions there are 191 total.  Because of the extra space taken up by the entrance bastion, there are fewer single bastions on the East side.


 * Space between bastions: It appears that the space between all bastions is approximately the same at ±3.762 meters apart. There appears to be a variation at the SE corner between the entry and the corner bastion, and on the South side.


 * Niches are small rectangular recesses (±0.091 deep) in the face of the wall. The niche and projecting wall between the niches are approximately the same width and this pattern (A, A, A) appears consistent everywhere including in the inner Great Court except possibly at the corner bastions.  There appears to be a footing below the niche which is aligned with the outside of the wall.  The niche height is ±9.000 meters.


 * Alignment of False Entry Bastions: (provide diagram to show alignments from East to West, South to North, and relationship to each other and to interior components). {Also provide elevations, cross-sections, plans, etc. with dimensions.}

Above Description: --NBuccalo 03:34, 14 January 2009 (UTC)