The whole thing was a make work program on one side and a pacification program on the other.
The former because work happened during the flodding season, when no farming could be done. Thus the peasants had no income otherwise.
The latter because it kept the peasants busy, thus unlikely to become unruly. In addition peasants developped a personal connection to public works, having took part in their creation.
The workers were paid, had healthcare and free housing. In addition, the first documented workplace strike happened on such a project.
Also, them being burried alongside the pyramids did not equate them being burried at their office. Being burried next to the pyramids was otherwise a privilege for nobility and priesthood.
They weren’t worked to death tho.
The whole thing was a make work program on one side and a pacification program on the other.
The former because work happened during the flodding season, when no farming could be done. Thus the peasants had no income otherwise.
The latter because it kept the peasants busy, thus unlikely to become unruly. In addition peasants developped a personal connection to public works, having took part in their creation.
The workers were paid, had healthcare and free housing. In addition, the first documented workplace strike happened on such a project.
Also, them being burried alongside the pyramids did not equate them being burried at their office. Being burried next to the pyramids was otherwise a privilege for nobility and priesthood.