![]() ![]() The necropolis of the pyramid builders is very close to an extensive area of habitat identified as the town where the workers of the pyramids lived and, where Mark Lehner documents warehouses, streets, houses, bakeries, large collective rest areas and dining rooms (possibly intended to accommodate temporary staff). However, tombs of later dynasties, especially of the V, have also been found in the site. The works of Hawass and the discoveries followed one another during more than a decade, being especially striking the one realized in 2010, when they were located burials that could be dated in the Dynasty IV, chronologically to the pyramids of the pharaohs Khufu, Khafra and Menkaure. Shortly after the research work was undertaken by Zahi Hawass, who confirmed the presence of a necropolis of the Old Kingdom. The surprised discovery of this necropolis in April 1990, when accidentally the horse of a tourist who galloped on a hill south of the Great Sphinx stumbled upon semi-buried adobe structures that caught the attention of archaeologist Mark Lehner. The tombs of the pyramid buildersĪ unique necropolis located to the south of the plateau of Giza, were the famous constructions of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure stand. If in the mood, he might play the board game senet with his children.Īs his family settles down for the night, the labourer is doing likewise, dreaming of the day his shift ends and he can return to his family village. The pyramid builder arrives home and he and his family have a meal of roasted beef or mutton with carrots and lentils.Īs darkness gathers, he has some beer and lights an oil lamp. Huge amounts of gypsum and rubble are used to fill the gaps between the blocks. The men haul the blocks along the ramps by rope and lever them upwards. ![]() ![]() When the labourers reach the building site, they must transport the blocks up ramps encircling the core of the pyramid. They eat bread and fish caught in the Nile. In the early afternoon, both the stone carver and labourer break for lunch. The stone carver goes to an area of shade and maybe takes some wine from a pitcher. In the mid-morning heat, the pyramid builders break and chat. Wooden containers in the shape of a quarter circles are attached to each corner of the block so it can be rolled along like a barrel.Īt other times the blocks are dragged along using robes, and sled-wheels would be impeded by sand and gravel. The labourers are attempting to shift a 2.5 ton block from the quarry. At other times they will be carving passages within the pyramid itself. Pyramid builders use stone and copper tools such as chisels and drills. The pyramid has been under construction for over a decade, but the craftsmen consider its construction as part of their duty to the gods. The craftsman joins fellow workers and they head to the quarry. Meanwhile, a migrant labourer rises in a simpler dwelling that he shares with other men. The house has a pillared public area, a domicile and a rear area for cooking.Īt dawn he rises and has a breakfast of figs, dates and bread with his family. The craftsman (stone carver) lives with family in a typical Egyptian house within a labourer’s town. Workers with specialist skills lived nearby, while migrant labourers worked month long shifts. “The grave of the pyramid builders was discovered by a tourist in 1990”. ![]()
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