
A previously unknown Egyptian-style pyramid has been found in a remote area of the Kazakhstan steppe some 3,900 miles northeast of Cairo.

The structure is now substantially in ruins but it is believed that it was a lookalike of the famous Pyramid of Djoser in Egypt, and built around 1,000 years earlier.

Archeologists discovered it last year but until now have kept their 'sensational find' under wraps.

The bronze era pyramid found in Kazakhstan (left) and the famous Egyptian Pyramid of Djoser (right) the new find was said to look like when it was built 1000 years earlier

Scientists are due to explore the unopened burial chamber of the pyramid complex 'within days'.

'It was built more than 3,000 years ago in Saryarke for a local 'pharaoh', a leader of a local mighty tribe dating to late Bronze epoch,' said archeologist Viktor Novozhenov.

'Work on opening the main burial chamber will begin within days.

'All finds will be passed to the archaeology museum of Karaganda State University.'

Images released today of what Novozhenov called a 'sensational find' show artifacts already unearthed at the site, and the layout of the foundations of the pyramid.

The discovery was made by specialists from the Saryarkinsky Archeology Institute in Karaganda under the leadership of Igor Kukushkin.

The bronze era pyramid found in Kazakhstan. These photos show artifacts already unearthed at the site, and the layout of the foundations of the pyramid, before archeologists examine an unopened burial chamber in coming days

The archeological site in Kazakhstan. Archeologists discovered it last year but have kept their 'sensational find' secret

Pottery found at the site. Scientists are due to explore the unopened burial chamber of the pyramid complex 'within days'

'The shape of this magnificent construction reminds us of the famous Djoser pyramid (in Egypt),' said Novozhenov.

In Soviet times, Karaganda was nicknamed the 'middle of nowhere' and was a destination for political exiles from many parts of the former USSR.

Yet the discovery of the pyramid shows that a rich culture thrived here in the deep past.

Pictures of the archeological site emerged today highlighting a 'step mausoleum' named the Begazinskaya (or Begazin) Pyramid, built between 3,000 and 3,500 years ago.

'Work is going ahead full speed. This is the team's second season,' said Novozhenov.

Archeologist Igor Kukushkin (left) led the group who discovered the site including archeologist Viktor Novozhenov (right)

The location of Shet district where the new pyramid was discovered in Kazakhstan - 3900 miles from Cairo in Egypt

Archeologist Viktor Varfolomeev said the mausoleum was found in the Shet district of Karaganda region, in central Kazakhstan, on the right bank of River Talda.

The whole burial includes no less than 27 constructions dating to different epochs.

The biggest building has five levels of stone steps.

The burial chamber is slightly over seven metres in diameter.

The site is a shadow of its former self, with much of the structure in ruins compared to some of the Egyptian pyramids

No further details were given of the Kazakhstan find.

Pryamids exist in places other than Egypt, for example Mexco and China, but this 'copycat' would be the first in Kazakhstan.

The Djoser 'step pyramid' is an archeological jewel in the Saqqara necropolis, northwest of the Egyptian city of Memphis.

It was built around 2700 years BC for the burial of Pharaoh Djoser.