The Pyramid Builders of Ancient Egypt: A Modern Investigation of Pharaoh's Workforce

by David; A ROSALIE

• ISBN13: 9780415152921
• ISBN10: 0415152925
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 1997-02-11
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

In this engrossing detective story, Rosalie David uncovers a fascinating picture of Kahun, a pyramid workmens' town excavated in 1887. In David's hands, the Egyptian builders of the pyramids are revealed as simple people, leading ordinary lives while they are engaged in building the great tomb for a Pharaoh. They worry about their families, grumble about the quality of the food, cheat overseers, even plan a strike for better conditions. Gone are the whip-driven slaves of the popular image: in their place are skilled workers knowing the value of their labor.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. ix
Introduction	p. 1
The Background	p. 11
The Geography and Historical Background	p. 13
The Lahun Pyramid	p. 40
The Towns of the Royal Workmen	p. 56
The Town of Kahun	p. 99
The Site and Its Excavation	p. 101
Legal and Medical Practices, Education and Religion	p. 114
Everyday Life at Kahun	p. 142
Plates	p. 174a
The Foreign Population at Kahun	p. 175
Last Years at Kahun	p. 195
The Investigation	p. 203
Analysis of Egyptian Pottery	p. 207
The Chemical Analysis of the Kahun Metals	p. 215
Kahun: the Textile Evidence	p. 226
Conclusion	p. 248
Bibliography	p. 251
Index	p. 256
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