[Islander7]

GEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE PERTAINING TO THE AGE OF THE GREAT SPHINX

by Dr. Robert M. Schoch © 1999-2000

ABSTRACT

Many recent Egyptologists have attributed the carving of the Great Sphinx of Giza to the Old Kingdom Pharaoh Khafre (Chephren), ca. 2500 B.C. However, on the basis of a number of lines of geological, seismological, Egyptological, and related evidence, I have come to the conclusion that the structure commonly known as the Great Sphinx was built in stages (originally it may not have even been a Sphinx). Initial carving of the core body of the Sphinx is estimated to have taken place during the period of approximately 7,000 to 5,000 B.C. The Sphinx has subsequently been reworked and refurbished many times over the succeeding millennia ‑‑ including, probably, during the reign of Khafre. In particular, the rump or rear of the Sphinx was carved out or recarved much later than the core body, and the head of the Sphinx has been recarved.

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SUMMARY OF GEOLOGICAL AND FIELD EVIDENCE BEARING ON THE AGE OF THE SPHINX

Major geological and field evidence bearing on the age of the Great Sphinx is summarized in this section. I have divided this evidence into four main categories:

1) Weathering Patterns,
2) Two-Stage Construction of the Sphinx and Valley Temples,
3) Ancient Repair Campaigns to the Body of the Sphinx, and
4) Seismic Surveys of the Sphinx Area.

Weathering Patterns

Modifications to rock surfaces, such as those resulting from weathering, erosion, and paleosol development, have long been utilized as criteria in determining the relative times since fresh rock surfaces were first exposed to the elements (see, for example, Brookes, 1985; Coates, 1984; Evans, 1985; Finkl, 1984; and Vreeken, 1984). Such methodologies have been widely used to date Quaternary land surfaces in particular, but the same concepts can also be applied to other dating problems -- such as the age of the initial carving of the Sphinx relative to other cultural features found on the Giza Plateau.

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Long, well researched and documented paper from a geologist's point of view. Interesting read for sure.

[Oatka]

GEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE PERTAINING TO THE AGE OF THE GREAT SPHINX
by Dr. Robert M. Schoch © 1999-2000

Thanks for posting this - I was about to do the same. Schoch has it nailed. I liked the guy after he tangled with the Egyptologists, who look on all other disciplines as "outsiders" who know nothing. I remember them jumping all over his findings. Schoch just shrugged and basically told them, "Hey, I'm just a geologist, and the geology of the sphinx tells me it sides were weathered by rainfall. It's YOUR problem if the rains stopped before 3000 BC."

[SunkenCiv]

thanks!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2025333/posts?page=31#31

[Kozak]

Makes the traditional Egyptologists nuts. But he sure makes a compelling and fascinating case.....