NEW YORK, BRONX (ORDO News) — Researchers are claiming to have unraveled the ‘origin story’ of Egypt‘s iconic Great Sphinx of Giza, a symbol of ancient majesty and mystery. While historians generally agree that the sculpture’s facial features were meticulously carved by skilled stonemasons, an intriguing theory has persisted since the 1980s, suggesting that desert winds played a role in sculpting the overall contours of the enigmatic creature.
To explore this theory and uncover the Sphinx’s true origins, scientists at New York University conducted a novel study. They employed fluid dynamics to create miniature, lion-like sculptures from clay. The idea was to simulate the potential impact of wind-driven erosion on a soft material. Their experiments aimed to determine whether the natural shape of the rock may have inspired the ancient Egyptians to craft the iconic Sphinx.
The study’s lead author, Professor Leif Ristroph, shared his perspective on the findings, stating, “Our findings offer a possible ‘origin story’ for how Sphinx-like formations can come about from erosion. Our laboratory experiments showed that surprisingly Sphinx-like shapes can, in fact, come from materials being eroded by fast flows.”
This investigation drew inspiration from a theory proposed by geologist Farouk El-Baz in 1981. El-Baz suggested that the Sphinx’s initial formation resembled a flat-topped shape gradually worn down by wind erosion. He also postulated that the builders of the pyramids were aware of these natural processes and constructed their pointed stone structures to withstand the effects of erosion, much like the natural hills of the region.
El-Baz expressed in a statement from 2011 that the pyramids of Giza coexisted harmoniously with the windy environment, emphasizing the builders’ knowledge of their surroundings. He suggested that different shapes, such as cubes, rectangles, or stadiums, would have succumbed to wind erosion had the ancients chosen them for the monuments.
Moreover, El-Baz introduced the idea that yardangs, peculiar rock formations resulting from the erosion of wind-blown dust and sand, could have naturally developed on the Giza Plateau. The ancient engineers might have incorporated the image of the Sphinx into their designs, basing it on the lion-like shapes they observed in the desert. To achieve this, they would have excavated a moat around the natural protrusion.
The recent study conducted by New York University aimed to replicate yardangs. Researchers used mounds of soft clay with less erodible materials mixed in, subjecting them to a fast-flowing stream of water to simulate the effects of wind-driven erosion. This process gradually carved and reshaped the formations, ultimately resulting in a Sphinx-like appearance.
Certain features emerged during this transformation, including a harder or more resistant material becoming the ‘head’ of the lion, as well as the development of an undercut ‘neck,’ ‘paws’ extended in front on the ground, and an arched ‘back.’
The findings of this research provide an intriguing theory regarding the origin of Sphinx-like formations through erosion. It’s noteworthy that even today, some existing yardangs bear a striking resemblance to seated or recumbent animals, corroborating the study’s conclusions.
Beyond its potential implications for understanding the Sphinx, this study may hold value for geologists as it reveals factors influencing rock formations, particularly the non-uniform composition of rocks and how their shapes are influenced by erosion patterns.
The Great Sphinx of Giza, often believed to depict King Khafra, is a symbol of ancient Egyptian civilization. While many Egyptologists link the Sphinx to King Khafra, others have proposed that it was built by Djadefre, Khafra’s elder brother, as a tribute to their father, Khufu. This intriguing monument’s construction is thought to have occurred between 2550 BC and 2450 BC.
The Great Sphinx remained partially concealed until 1817 when Italian archaeologist Giovanni Battista Caviglia led an excavation that exposed the beast’s chest. It wasn’t until 1887 that the chest, paws, altar, and plateau were entirely unveiled, allowing the Sphinx to captivate the world with its timeless enigma and grandeur.
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News agencies contributed to this report, edited and published by ORDO News editors.
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