Did ancient Egyptians really booby-trap the pyramids?

Despite popular movie depictions, ancient Egyptians did not use booby traps in pyramids. Instead, they relied on architectural protections like massive stone structures requiring deep tunneling, blocked passageways, and sliding stone blocks to secure burial chambers. Egyptologists explain these practical measures were more effective than traps, which would only catch one or two robbers from larger teams, and note the severe punishment for tomb robbery included mutilation and impalement.