The Step Pyramid complex of Djoser (3rd dynasty) at Saqqara presents us with an unprecedented explosion of new forms. Some of these made it into the fixed "canon" of ancient Egyptian architecture - and some didn't. Both reed columns and fluted columns apparantely failed the test.

These are pilasters in the form of fluted columns, (the fluting is better visible in the larger file), crowned with a capital (with pendant leaves) that was not used later either.
(The building in question is one of the western shrines at the Festival court.)

That this was a period of experimentation is also apparent in the use of these "half-columns". Half-columns are columns that are supported on one side with a short adjoining wall. This feature indicates that one did not yet fully trust the strength and stability of stone as a building material. In the entire Step Pyramid complex, there was actually not one single free-standing column.
(You are looking at the remains of the mortuary temple, located on the north side of the pyramid - as was customary in this period.)
 

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