Thousands of slaves were forced to build the Egyptian pyramids under brutal conditions.
Recent archaeological evidence indicates the Great Pyramids were built by organised teams of skilled workers, including masons, engineers, and labourers. These workers were likely paid, fed, and housed by the state as part of organised public works projects. Graffiti on interior stones suggests crew names and work organisation. Slavery existed in ancient Egypt, but the pyramids were not built by enslaved peoples.