First World War Photograph of the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara

c. 1915
Overview

Small black and white photograph of the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, in the distance and a waterway in the foreground. The photo was taken from the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis, which is 24 km southwest of Cairo. The image is captured in an oval shape with a white border.

Historical information

This series of black & white photographs was collected by Private Eric Sydney BANNISTER, regimental number 19. He joined the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (ANMEF) on the 11th August 1914, just a week after war was declared on Germany. The mission of the ANMEF was to destroy German radio stations and occupy German New Guinea and surrounding areas. The ANMEF secured military occupation on the 13th September 1914. The photographs are from two areas of Australian military deployment during the First World War. Ten (10) are from a deployment to German colony of New Guinea in 1914 and another eighty (80) from Cairo dated 1915 and 1916.The photographs of his deployment are of national significance and show one of Australia’s first military action in the First World War.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-12-2018.3.73
Item type
Photographs
Material
Photo Paper
Width
114 mm
Height or length
70 mm
Weight
1 g
Inscriptions and markings

Handwritten in black ink on back "Saphara pyramids in the distance / from Old City of Memphis".

Contextual information

The Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara is the oldest pyramid in Egypt and is part of the ancient city of Memphis, which is 24 km southwest of Cairo. This six-tiered pyramid stands 60 meters tall is the worlds oldest monumental stone structure, built around 2650 BC, and in 1979 was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Place made
Cairo, Egypt
Year
Primary significance criteria
Artistic or aesthetic significance
Social or spiritual significance
Comparative significance criteria
Well provenanced
Google Maps search term / URL
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gWHZtRH1mm24SAjK8
Last modified
Thursday, 17 September, 2026
Completeness
100
Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum

Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum

The Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara.
The Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara.
Rear view showing inscription.
Rear view showing inscription.

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