Why was the Sphinx created?
The Sphinx is a stunning, imposing structure — but why was it built? Did it largely result from erosion? Were aliens even involved? Here are several theories...
Image: The Great Sphinx of Giza | stock.adobe.com
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What is a sphinx? A legendary creature with a human head atop a lion’s body. What is the Sphinx? You likely already know, as it’s arguably the most famous statue in the world.
This limestone statue (depicting the mythical species of the same name) is formally known as the Great Sphinx of Giza. This is due to the sculpture’s location on the Giza Plateau, just outside the Egyptian capital, Cairo.
The Great Sphinx is generally believed to have been built during the reign of the ancient Egyptian king Khafre. This would make the Sphinx roughly 4,500 years old. However, less clear is why this colossal piece of art was created. Below, Sky HISTORY explores several theories…
Guarding the pharaoh’s tomb
The Great Sphinx was carved out of a single block of limestone. Given the statue’s impressive dimensions (it measures 240 feet long and 66 feet high), that’s no mean feat!
As for why it was made in the first place, a fair few theories have been put forward. It has been suggested that the Great Sphinx was meant to resemble Khafre and protect this king’s funerary complex. The ‘Pyramid of Khafre’ is located on the same Giza site as the Sphinx.
Indeed, historian Bettany Hughes has described the Great Sphinx as a 'monumental guard dog watching over the pharaoh’s tomb'.
The mythical creature of the sphinx was iconic in ancient Egyptian culture. It is telling that the Great Sphinx is far from the only sphinx statue still standing in Egypt today. The symbol of the sphinx is thought to have represented a guardian in the eyes of the ancient Egyptians.
So, ancient Egyptians coming across the Great Sphinx could have interpreted its presence as a warning not to raid the Giza Plateau.
Does the Sphinx predate Khafre?
There is archaeological evidence backing the general consensus that the Sphinx dates to Khafre’s rule. Nonetheless, some Egyptologists have pointed out signs that the structure could have taken shape much earlier.
When it comes to deciphering the Great Sphinx’s age, some Egyptologists have noted the absence of any contemporary inscription linking the structure to Khafre.
In Sky HISTORY series The UnXplained, Robert Schoch asserts that he found strong marks of water erosion on the Sphinx but not other Giza landmarks. These nearby structures, he says, show 'classic wind erosion'.
He decided that the Sphinx 'had to go back to pre-Sahara times, when there was a much more temperate climate' with higher moisture and rainfall. Schoch is therefore convinced that the Sphinx was built by a civilization earlier than the ancient Egyptians.
However, the water erosion affecting the Sphinx could alternatively be attributed to flooding from the nearby River Nile.
Could aliens have left their mark on the Sphinx?
The widespread use of the sphinx motif on ancient Egyptian monuments has led to speculation that they evidence genetic engineering by aliens.
The Sky HISTORY programme Ancient Aliens shines light on this theory. It has been suggested that ancient aliens arrived on earth to mine for gold. However, not wanting to do this heavy-duty work themselves, they genetically altered existing earth creatures and tasked them with mining the gold on their behalf.
The theory goes further, suggesting that the Great Sphinx could have served as a repository for the unearthed gold. Investigations have found evidence of underground cavities lying beneath the Sphinx.
Historian Bettany Hughes reports: 'Usually hidden from view, a deep hole near the Sphinx’s tail is thought to be connected with a large chamber beyond.' Meanwhile, there’s 'another smaller [chamber], right at the front underneath the paws.'
Hughes alludes to some people’s hopes that hidden tunnels underneath the Sphinx “may lead us to new, undiscovered treasures.”
Did nature play a part in the Sphinx’s emergence?
The Sphinx has evidently been subjected to a lot of erosion over the centuries. One theory is that Mother Nature eroded Giza limestone into a sphinx-like shape before humans added further details to the formation.
Wind-blown dust and sand could have battered the rock, thereby creating a 'yardang'. Through a series of laboratory experiments, a team of New York University (NYU) scientists have demonstrated the theory’s viability.
The study’s lead, NYU associate professor Leif Ristroph, observed 'yardangs in existence today that look like seated or lying animals, lending support to our conclusions.'
The riddle of why the Great Sphinx came to be is certainly intriguing. By subscribing to the Sky HISTORY Newsletter, you can learn about other fascinating historical mysteries — and new evidence that could potentially help to solve them.
