Then again, I think the Nile was the only river providing so much bounty that all the labour could go into such large projects. Obviously Mesopotamia was doing well at the same time, but I don't think they were doing the same level of megaprojects. BUT, my view is biased I'm that I'm not really aware of sources before about 500BC, so there could have been other megaprojects that didn't survive.

Regardless, I would estimate a hierarchy of builders and labourers is highly probable for the pryamids. The level of compensation and agency for each of those levels is something I don't think we know (though this may be my personal blind spot).

I would be surprised if pyramid engineers/architects were allowed to leave their project sites or find other work. But that's me placing my modern state and strategic lens on a important ressource.

[–] kamenlady@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

True. I also went from the assumption that slaves way back then = slaves in recent history.

I like to think that being the pyramid engineer/architect for the current pharaoh at the time would have been even a lifetime job.

If they were allowed to decide themselves what project to work on... I would really like to know that.

Maybe they handed out pamphlets, promoting their skills.

[–] Nouveau_Burnswick@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

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Mike's mausoleums don't have this kind of deal.