The Pharaoh Tombs: Inside The Lost City Of The Pyramids | Private Lives Of Pharaohs | Real Royalty

This paragraph discusses the awe-inspiring nature of the pyramids and the long-standing theories about their construction. It highlights the shift from extraordinary theories to clear answers provided by modern archaeologists. The script reveals the discovery of the people who built the pyramids and the rewriting of ancient Egyptian history. It emphasizes the importance of these findings in understanding the lives of the pyramid builders and reconstructing history.

The narrative focuses on the unexpected discovery of a vast settlement near Cairo, believed to be the home of the pyramid builders. The excavations led by Egyptologist Mark Lehner uncovered worker houses, bakeries, and evidence of large-scale food production. The paragraph details the discovery of over 600 tombs of the pyramid builders, which were intact and contained inscriptions related to pyramid construction, confirming the identity of the buried individuals.

This section challenges the long-held belief that the pyramids were built by slaves. It presents evidence from the workers' tombs, showing an equal number of men and women, along with children, suggesting family units. DNA analysis from the Cairo University Medical School confirmed familial relationships among the buried, contradicting the slave theory. The paragraph also discusses the high-quality food evidence found, indicating a well-fed workforce that was unlikely to be slave labor.

The paragraph delves into the medical care received by the pyramid builders, as evidenced by healed bones and comparisons with nobles' remains. It suggests that the workers received similar medical attention as the nobility, indicating a privileged status. The discovery of amputation as one of the earliest examples adds to the astonishment. However, the workers' spines showed signs of extreme stress and early death, highlighting the physically demanding nature of pyramid construction.

This section explores the construction methods used to build the Great Pyramid of Khufu. It challenges Herodotus's account of 100,000 slaves over 30 years, presenting a different scenario based on archaeological findings. American construction expert Craig Smith's calculations, along with insights from Mark Lehner, suggest a smaller, rotating workforce of 20,000 core workers and laborers over approximately 20 years. The paragraph also discusses the transportation and lifting of massive stone blocks, proposing the use of ramps and levers.

The paragraph describes the final stages of pyramid construction, including the application of Tura limestone casing, which would have made the pyramids dazzling when new. It also discusses the dismantling of ramps and the completion of the project. The narrative highlights the national effort involved in building the pyramids, with workers from all over Egypt contributing to this grand project.

This section presents DNA research that confirms the pyramid builders were Egyptians, closely related to modern Egyptians. It discusses the genetic diversity found in the workers and the nationwide participation in pyramid construction. The paragraph suggests that the building of the pyramids was a unifying national project, with people from various regions contributing to the effort, possibly out of a sense of duty and community spirit.

The paragraph examines the social organization required to mobilize thousands of workers for the pyramid project. It suggests that the construction process laid the foundations for modern government and resource management. The narrative describes the complex bureaucracy that organized workers into teams and the inscriptions found in the workers' tombs, indicating a highly structured construction process.

This final paragraph reflects on the legacy of the pyramid builders, highlighting the shift in pyramid construction scale after the reign of Menkari and the lessons learned by subsequent kings. It emphasizes the enduring impact of the pyramids on national organization and civilization, and how the discoveries at Giza have deepened our understanding of this remarkable period in history.