Research Papers

Pending Publication

Construction of the Great Sphinx

Most archaeologists believe the Sphinx was carved as a monolith. The rough appearance we see today is thought to have been produced by erosion following construction. I conclude that much of what has been described as erosion is really part of the construction process. The limestone bedrock had weathered by acidic groundwater long before the Sphinx was carved. Soft sections unsuitable for sculpting were pounded back using stone tools producing a rough-cut body. It is this rough-cut body that has been misidentified as erosion. Recessed sections were then fitted with high quality limestone blocks to construct the Sphinx. Since construction exposed blocks were looted exposing the rough-cut body.

Stratigraphy of the Great Sphinx

The Sphinx geologic Sequence was placed within the regional stratigraphic framework. The presence of shallow benthic foraminiferal biozones 17 (SBZ 17) was identified based on the absence of Nummulites gizehensis starting at the Sphinx neck. This makes the limestone of the Sphinx head Bartonian in age. Previously the entire Sphinx Sequence had been considered Lutetian in age. It appears the Sphinx head contains an exposure of the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (MECO) hyperthermal. Having been deposited in an acidic ocean made the limestone more resistant to weathering and erosion. Subsequently uplifted and exposed the resistant limestone became the caprock that formed the Giza cuesta. Had the MECO never occurred the Sphinx and Giza pyramids would not exist.

Rising Groundwater at the Great

Sphinx

Salt from evaporating groundwater is destroying the Sphinx, mosques, and other stone structures throughout the Nile Valley. In recent years rising groundwater has accelerated weathering of the Sphinx. Various sources of water have been proposed. Groundwater modeling by others points to leaking infrastructure and irrigation. My vadose zone modeling indicates that a reduction in evapotranspiration is principally to blame. Groundwater trapped beneath pavement and buildings is no longer released to the atmosphere. As a result, the water table has risen. I conclude that if the pavement and buildings were removed, the water table would drop 3–4 m (10–13 ft) in the first year alone.