For many years, the prevailing wisdom was that the pyramids of Egypt were built with slave labour.
Recently, however, a team of archaeologists led by Dr Zahi Hawass have studied ancient inscriptions that suggest they were actually built by paid workmen.
These inscriptions take the form of ancient graffiti left by the gangs of men whom the researchers believe to have built the pyramids. This graffiti refers to the groups of builders with names like ‘Khufu gang,’ ‘friends of Khufu’ and ‘Drunkards of Menkaure’ and suggest a spirit of friendly camaraderie, rather than the misery of being part of a slave gang.
Together with evidence that indicates that some of the pyramid builders who passed away were buried with full honours, and were ethnic Egyptians, the data points to the builders having been highly respected members of society. Further archaeological evidence reveals their rich diet, with freshly-baked bread and plenty of meat – not exactly slave rations.
What do you think future scholars will learn from the graffiti of today?
Photo Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/landscape-photography-of-pyramid-3lliBG4a5sI?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText
