Photo: usiter.com
Researchers explained the possible purpose and controversial theories of its origin.
the great sphinx of giza, located near cairo, remains one of the most mysterious structures in the world, and the question of why it was built still sparks debate among historians and archaeologists. skyhistory examined various theories – from a guardian of the royal tomb to signs of water erosion and even hypotheses involving ancient aliens.
the great sphinx, carved from a single limestone block in giza, is considered one of the world’s most famous statues. it measures 78 meters in length and 20 meters in height, making it one of the largest monolithic sculptures on the planet. archaeologists link its construction to the reign of khephren around 4,500 years ago, whose pyramid is nearby. one of the most common theories is that the statue had a protective function. researchers suggest the sphinx was meant to represent khephren himself and guard the royal burial complex from intruders.
historian bethany hughes called the structure “a monumental watchdog that watched over the pharaoh’s tomb.” in ancient egyptian culture, sphinxes served as protectors, so locals may have viewed the statue as a symbol of warning.
despite this, some egyptologists question the traditional dating. they point out the lack of inscriptions directly linking the monument to khephren.
in skyhistory publications, geologist robert schoch argues that the traces of water erosion on the sphinx’s body differ from the erosion of nearby monuments, which show “classic wind erosion.” he suggests the sphinx “may have existed before the desertic times, when the climate was much milder,” implying a much earlier origin.
other scientists explain the water erosion by regular nile floods that affected the sculpture over centuries. alternative theories, popularized by television projects, suggest involvement of extraterrestrial civilizations. for instance, some proposed that the sphinx could have been a storage site for gold, allegedly mined by alien-modified beings.
“usually hidden from view, a deep cavity near the sphinx’s tail is believed to connect to a large chamber behind it. there is also a smaller chamber directly in front under the paws. (hidden tunnels under the sphinx) could lead us to new, undiscovered treasures,” hughes noted.
another hypothesis is that the sphinx was partly formed by nature. scientists suggest wind and sand erosion may have created the initial shape of a “yardang,” later refined by humans. the team from new york university confirmed the possibility of such a process in lab experiments. research leader leif ristoff emphasized that “today’s yardangs resemble sitting or lying animals, which supports our conclusions.”
although debates continue, most scholars believe the sphinx was created by ancient egyptian artisans during khephren’s reign as a guardian of the royal tomb. other theories, while attracting attention, remain unverified.
