Mystery of the Great Sphinx of Giza: Who built the massive ancient limestone statue?
Located on the Giza Plateau near modern-day Cairo, near the famous pyramids, the Sphinx is more than just a stone figure, as it represents a powerful symbol of kingship and divine protection in ancient Egyptian culture. While many admire its grandeur, a poignant question has long been on people's minds, as there has been a long-lasting speculation about who built the Great Sphinx.
Who built the Great Sphinx of Giza?
Most historians believe that the Great Sphinx of Giza was built during the reign of Pharaoh Khafre, who ruled from around 2575 to 2465 BCE during Egypt's Fourth Dynasty.
This theory is supported by both archaeological and stylistic evidence. According to Encyclopædia Britannica, the Sphinx 'likely dates from the reign of King Khafre' and may even depict his face.
The Sphinx was carved directly from a single limestone ridge on the Giza Plateau. One of the most striking features of the statue is that its body lies in the shape of a reclining lion with a human head wearing a royal headdress, believed to symbolise the pharaoh's power. The monument measures about 240 feet (73 meters) long and 66 feet (20 meters) high, making it one of the largest sculptures in the world carved from a single piece of stone
However, not everyone agrees.
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Some researchers argue that the Sphinx might have been built by Khafre's older brother, Redjedef (Djedefre), as a tribute to their father, Khufu. This view comes from facial studies that suggest the features of the Sphinx resemble Khufu more closely than Khafre.
Despite the debate, most modern Egyptologists favour the Khafre theory due to the statue's proximity to his pyramid and the architectural harmony of the complex. The mystery of the Sphinx's missing nose has added to its mystery, but illustrations predating Napoleon's arrival in Egypt show the nose was already missing, suggesting other causes of damage over time
What makes the Sphinx mysterious?
The mystery surrounding the Great Sphinx of Giza deepens when considering the erosion patterns on its surface.
Unlike the typical effects of wind and sand seen elsewhere in Egypt, the Sphinx shows signs of water erosion in the form of deep vertical grooves and fissures, especially along its lower body and the walls of its enclosure. These patterns suggest long-term exposure to rainfall and water runoff, which is not something to expect in Egypt's dry climate today.
Geologist Dr. Robert Schoch argues that this kind of erosion could only have occurred during a much wetter time, possibly around 10,000 to 12,000 years ago, at the end of the last ice age.
If that's true, it means the Sphinx may be far older than traditionally believed, predating the rise of the pharaohs and pointing to the possibility of an earlier, unknown civilisation.
It is also popularly believed that a lost advanced civilisation may have built the Sphinx, not just as an isolated monument, but as part of a larger network of ancient structures around the world, including Stonehenge and sites in South America. They point to the Sphinx's precise alignment with the cardinal directions and constellations as evidence of deep astronomical knowledge.
Though mainstream archaeology doesn't support these alternative theories, the lack of clear ancient Egyptian records about the Sphinx's origins keeps the mystery alive
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