Limestone Ka statue of Djoser

Djoser

The limestone Ka statue of Djoser is an ancient Egyptian sculpture that dates back to the 27th century BC. The statue depicts the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Djoser, who was the second king of the Third Dynasty and the builder of the famous Step Pyramid in Saqqara. The statue was discovered in Djoser’s pyramid complex, specifically in the serdab, which is an enclosed chamber intended to house the statue of the deceased king.

The Ka statue is notable for its intricate details and lifelike depiction of Djoser, who is shown with his arms crossed and wearing a nemes headdress and a false beard. The statue was intended to serve as a vessel for the pharaoh’s spirit, or “ka,” which was believed to live on after death. The statue was placed in the serdab to allow the pharaoh’s ka to continue to receive offerings and be present in the physical world.

Today, the limestone Ka statue of Djoser is housed in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, where it is considered to be one of the most important examples of early Egyptian sculpture.