> I can't speak to evidence that slaves weren't used but we have records of wages paid to laborers and engineers.
I don't think that's a counter-argument. Depending on context, wages can be paid to slaves, too. "Being forced to work under threat of death" doesn't imply that payment wasn't made.
As a counter-counter argument (yeah, I love arguing with myself), do these records mention any payment for the costs of food and shelter in bulk? Because generally, the food and shelter for slaves is paid for by the slave-drivers, so if slaves were used, I'd expect to see a record of bulk purchases of food and shelter.
I don't think that's a counter-argument. Depending on context, wages can be paid to slaves, too. "Being forced to work under threat of death" doesn't imply that payment wasn't made.
As a counter-counter argument (yeah, I love arguing with myself), do these records mention any payment for the costs of food and shelter in bulk? Because generally, the food and shelter for slaves is paid for by the slave-drivers, so if slaves were used, I'd expect to see a record of bulk purchases of food and shelter.