Intrigued by the pyramids and other outstanding landmarks, the world has been captivated with solving mysteries and finding answers pertaining to Ancient Egypt.
Most of the stories you read are based on either outdated research or historical misunderstandings.
Here are a few myths debunked and clarified:
1. Slaves built the pyramids
Because the Pyramids of Giza were the highest buildings for almost four millennia, it is almost hard to imagine how an ancient culture with no technology that we currently understand made them happen.
However, one common myth is that the Pharaohs enslaved an army of laborers to build them.
Thanks to recently discovered gravesites, researchers have confirmed the origins of the builders. They were native Egyptians; probably residents of villages near the construction site.
Excavations also showed that those builders mainly ate beef, a delicacy at the time, and were paid.
They definitely weren't slaves.
2. Enslaved Israelites
Apart from the Abrahamic account, which might not have been a literal depiction, there is no historical evidence that confirms Israelites were enslaved in Ancient Egypt.
The exhaustive hieroglyphic recordings left by the Egyptians never mentions keeping a race of slaves.
The growing Egyptian economy at the time contradicts the narrative that says millions of immigrants left Egypt; it would have probably hindered any progress.
3. Servants were buried with their pharaohs
To the disappointment of some who prefer to hold a vilified image of the Ancient Egyptians, servants were not buried along with their Pharaohs.
Apart from a couple of eccentric kings of the First Dynasty, archaeological findings debunk the otherwise widely held belief that this was common practice.
Instead, Pharaohs were buried with small figurines called shabtis intended to serve them in the afterlife.
4. Forget everything you know about Cleopatra
A descendant of Ptolemy, Cleopatra ruled Egypt as part of the Greek Ptolemaic Dynasty of the Hellenistic era. She was believed to have no Egyptian blood; just a curiosity to learn their language.
After her defeat as the last Pharaoh, Egypt was added to the Roman Empire.
This is not to mention that her beauty was a myth. Surviving Roman coins show her with a large nose, protruding chin, and thin lips.