[SunkenCiv]

Did Slaves Dig The Mines? Whether or not slaves dug the mines is a major question of our ongoing work, and it is still under debate, in part because the inscriptions at Wadi el-Hudi offer contradictory information. For example, an inscription (WH6) from year 17 of Senwosret I states that they brought 1000 "strong men" from Thebes, indicating that Egyptians were used as miners. Perhaps they were paid well for their labor or perhaps they were conscripted as corvée laborers (a tax in labor that all Egyptians had to pay to their government). On the other hand, another inscription (WH143), this one undated, but from the reign of Senwosret I states: "As for every Iwn-bowman of Ta-Seti [=Nubians], his working as a slave is achieved only by the awe of this god [= pharaoh Senwosret I]." The inscription implies that the Egyptians gathered Nubians and forced them to work under threat of the king. It is the job of archaeology to corroborate and contextualize the inscriptions. As archaeologists, we are looking at questions like: Do the design and architecture of the mining camps support their use as prisons? Could miners leave on their own accord? How were miners treated by the Egyptian administrators? Were they fed well and cared for or beaten for not working? Were the guards who we know worked there present to keep prisoners in the camps or to keep pillagers out?

[BipolarBob]

I can barely make out “Kilroy was here” on the stone face.

[BobL]

I just love MINERALS...from my earliest days visiting the Museum of Natural History (in NYC). I cannot explain it, but they are just absolutely BEAUTIFUL to me.

(now, back to attacking Hillary)

[LegendHasIt]

Gotta admit that I never heard of Wadi el-Hudi Amethyst, despite having considered myself an expert on mineralogy and making a living for a couple decades mining mineral specimens and gemstones all over the place.

Here is a scarab carved of the amethyst from there. Kinda Pretty:

[Openurmind]

Man... A two for one. Ancient inscriptions AND Buried treasure! Thanks!

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

THIS IS AN ACCIDENT FREE WORKPLACE.
ONLY 2 DAYS SINCE THE LAST ROCK FALL.

ACCIDENTS WILL GET SAFETY STICKERS REMOVED FROM HELMETS.

[Darteaus94025]

“Eat at Irv’s Deli!”

[afraidfortherepublic]

Oooooooh! Wouldn’t I just love to own an amethyst mining site! Jes’ sayin’.