The Great Sphinx next to the Egyptian pyramid of Giza, a symbol of ancient mythalism and architectural majesty, has guarded the Giza Plateau for thousands of years.
The giant limestone statue with the body of a lion and the head of a pharaoh is said to symbolize the power of the pharaoh and his role as the protector of Egypt.
This statue is often associated with the sun god Ra, and symbolizes the unity between the intelligence of humans (head) and physical strength (lion body).
Historists and archaeologists have continuously discovered the secrets of the Sphinx, but a basic mystery still exists: How did the ancient Egyptians start building this monolithic statue and the natural terrain likely influence its formation?
An investigation by a group of scientists at New York University (NYU) has clarified this ancient mystery. By evoking the environmental conditions that were popular 4,500 years ago, researchers have sought to understand how natural elements and raw stone have become one of the world's most iconic relics.
Associate Professor Leif Ristroph, from NYU's Courant Institute for Mathematical Sciences, led the investigation with a groundbreaking approach. The team's research, expected to be published in the prestigious journal Physical Review fluids, delves into the formation of the Sphinx's shape through eroded lenses.
"Our experiments show that the surprisingly large Sphinx-like shapes can actually come from materials eroded by rapid flows," Ristroph said.
The basis of the study was tocopy yardas strange desert rock structures shaped by endless winds. These natural phenomena provide clue about the potential origin of the Great Sphinx, suggesting that it was an ancient yardang that was later refined by human hands to the majestic shape we know today.
When man-made elements were applied to the clay mounds, a Professor created in the laboratory appeared. The durable materials inside the clay refused to deform, creating something that would become the "head" of a lion, while the softer areas around it were gradually eroded, revealing a clear "arrow", "feet" stretched out and the curved back.
The impressive result of the experiment was a reflection image of the Sphinx, not created by human hands but by the erosion mechanism of the liquid.
This study not only penetrates the historical curtain but also provides a lot of knowledge for geologists.
The Great Sphinx, which is always silent, may still keep its own secret, but the relentless pursuit of understanding by scholars like Ristroph and his colleagues has brought us closer than ever to giaiessing the mysteries hidden in its cold gaze.
