Pyramids Not Built by Slaves: Scientists

Tombs found near king's suggest laborers were free workers
By Marie Morris,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 10, 2010 4:55 PM CST
Pyramids Not Built by Slaves: Scientists
In this undated photo released by the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, pottery and bones are seen in a tomb in Giza, Egypt.   (AP Photo/Supreme Council of Antiquities)

The Great Pyramids of Egypt were built not by slaves, as is commonly believed, but by free workers of such high status that their tombs lie near the king's. The laborers built the Khufu and Khafre pyramids, and the research made public today sheds new light on graffiti describing the workers as " friends of Khufu, " the chief archaeologist on the project tells Reuters.

"These tombs were built beside the king's pyramid, which indicates that these people were not by any means slaves," said the archaeologist. "If they were slaves, they would not have been able to build their tombs beside their king's."
(More Pyramids stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X