Onetime pyramid builder
The Onetime Pyramid Builder: Cracking the Clue
This week’s crossword puzzle presented a delightful challenge with a clue that sent me down a rabbit hole of ancient Egyptian history. The phrase “Onetime pyramid builder” immediately conjured images of towering monuments and dusty sands, but deciphering the answer required a bit more digging.
Let’s break down the clue:
“Onetime”
suggests that the individual in question was a pyramid builder at some point in their life, but not necessarily their only profession.
“Pyramid builder”
points directly to the construction of the iconic structures of ancient Egypt.
The key to solving this clue lies in understanding the social structure of ancient Egyptian society. While we often envision grand pharaohs overseeing vast construction projects, the reality was much more complex. Consider these factors:
Labor Source:
Who actually built the pyramids? While slaves may have been employed, the majority of the labor force consisted of skilled and unskilled workers, farmers, and even artisans who were conscripted or volunteered for these projects.
Seasonal Work:
Construction wasn’t a year-round activity. The Nile River’s annual floods provided fertile land for agriculture, requiring workers to return to their farms during the planting and harvesting seasons.
Multiple Roles:
Many ancient Egyptians likely had multiple roles in their lives.
This clue requires us to move beyond stereotypical assumptions and consider the diverse lives of the people who shaped ancient Egypt. The answer lies in recognizing the multi-faceted nature of their society and the flexibility of their occupations.
Think carefully about the professions that might have co-existed with the role of a pyramid builder. Remember, the answer isn’t necessarily a specific job title, but rather a description of someone who, at one point in their lives, contributed to the construction of these monumental structures.
Let me know your guesses in the comments below. Good luck!
Available Answers:
AZTEC.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: NY Times Crossword 21 Jul 24, Sunday