This is What Life Was Like for an Egyptian Worker Building the Pyramids

This is What Life Was Like for an Egyptian Worker Building the Pyramids

Aimee Heidelberg - February 27, 2023

This is What Life Was Like for an Egyptian Worker Building the Pyramids
Dier El-Medina, a worker’s city similar to Giza community. Steve F-E-Cameron (2006)

Cities of the Pyramid Builders

With so many workers on the Pyramid projects, it would be inefficient to have them commute from their homes. The 39-acre community for pyramid builders was built to the southwest of the pyramid project to house the workers during their three-month shift, to feed them and provide for their needs. The cities were protected by Heit al-Ghurob, the “Wall of the Crow.” The limestone wall stood 30 to 33 feet high with a 21 foot gate. The wall encircled the city, creating a barrier between the area of the living from the area of the dead, including the Pyramid. The gateway features heavy limestone lintels. The wall provided its residents protection from invaders, but also a way to monitor who was coming in and out of the city, what their business was, and similar administrative and safety functions.

Advertisement