[SunkenCiv]

No, as a matter of fact, we're not -- we're talking about whether Hebrews were ever slaves in ancient Egypt. Hence the title.

[katana]

Not really sure what you're saying. My point was that certain researchers use lack of the usual artifacts characteristic of Near Eastern religions, cult objects, statues, temple foundations, papyrus and clay writings, etc. to question the veracity of the Torah and the history it contains. Pre-Exodus Hebrews, especially slaves, wouldn't have left much trace. A nearly invisible people for a wholly (or at least usually, burning bushes aside) invisible God.

One of the more recent theories I find worth considering is that the Egyptians at one point encouraged Semitic tribes to settle in the Eastern areas of the Nile Delta as a buffer against the Hittites and others. After a few generations the Semites became so numerous that they were perceived as a threat and were then subjected to mass conscript labor, i.e. slavery to Pharaoh. It was from that servitude they were led by Moses. Who knows? Main point is the Bible is not a collection of fantasy and whole cloth myth.