The source for the idea of the pyramids being built by slaves was most likely Herodotus, who was probably more than a tad biased, being Greek. The evidence I've

The source for the idea of the pyramids being built by slaves was most likely Herodotus, who was probably more than a tad biased, being Greek. The evidence I've seen, from articles such as this one from the Deseret News ( http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705357902/New-Egypt-find-indicates-slaves-didnt-build-pyramids.html?pg=all http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705357902/New-Egypt-find-... ) and the Scientific American Frontiers show Dead Men's Tales ( http://www.pbs.org/saf/1203/segments/1203-4.htm http://www.pbs.org/saf/1203/segments/1203-4.htm ) indicate that the people who built the pyramids were most likely volunteers, most of whom showed up, did the equivalent of their national service for a few years, and went home.