After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal The Dark Side of Ancient Egypt
May 15, 2025
In this intriguing discussion, Campbell Price, an Egyptologist and curator at the Manchester Museum, sheds light on the underbelly of Ancient Egypt. He delves into the harsh realities faced by workers constructing the pyramids and challenges the notion of slavery in their labor force. Price reveals the brutal practices of ancient warfare, including the disturbing collection of trophies. The conversation pulls back the curtain on ancient beliefs, highlighting how magic and ritual intertwined with the daily lives of Egyptians, offering a captivating glimpse into their complex society.
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Grim Reality of Pyramid Builders
- Many pyramid builders were farmers forced into harsh labor during the flood season when work was otherwise scarce.
- Some were crushed to death and buried within the pyramids, never to see their work completed or benefit from an afterlife.
Ancient Egypt’s Vast Timeline
- Ancient Egypt spans an enormous 3000 years from c. 3000 BCE to 30 BCE, covering huge changes over millennia.
- Cleopatra lived closer in time to us than to the builders of the Great Pyramids, challenging conventional perceptions of "ancient."
Contrasting Views of Egypt
- Ancient Egypt is often idealized as peaceful and glamorous, but it also had tyranny and suffering under pharaohs.
- Public perception is polarized between utopian luxury imagery and the harsh reality of ancient tyranny and social hardship.