Pyramid Scheme

Every now and then I hear the claim that slaves (specifically Jewish ones) built the pyramids. It's a commonplace in entertainment. Just last week I saw a character in Liberty Heights say it and a Futurama episode based on the concept.

In fact, the pyramids, as best as can be understood, were not built by slaves (as we'd understand them) but by labor gangs--made up of conscriptees (some of them perhaps slaves, but slaves at large, not slaves specifically captured to build pyramids), likely free to work during the flood season--and supervised by proud and talented artisans working on what they understood to be a significant national project. Also, the great pyramids were built during the Old Kingdom, before people claim there was a Hebrew presence in Egypt.