Abstract

Geoarcheological and pelaeoclimatic researches have accompanied regular excavations and conservation implemented by the Polish archaeological mission in Saqqara ever since 1998. They were focused on a section of the ancient necropolis situated to the west of the Step Pyramid complex. Their chief objective has been to establish the relationship between the uncovered sepulchral features and the geological and geomorphological structure of the investigated area, while reconstructing climatic conditions in the Old Kingdom (2600–2100 BC). The article is an overview of these geoarchaeological and pelaeoclimatic researches, enriched with the recently obtained data.