New research from researchers at a major New York university presents a novel view of how the Great Sphinx might have emerged. The study proposes that the Sphinx was carved into rock whose original shape was sculpted by natural forces, including winds and shifting sands. The findings were shared in a scholarly article published in a journal dedicated to examining fluid-related phenomena and their implications for geologic forms.
Historian and geologist Farouk El-Baz previously suggested in a 1981 piece for Smithsonian Magazine that the Sphinx was not entirely the product of ancient Egyptian builders. According to El-Baz, ancient masons may have shaped the visage of a mythical creature into a preexisting rock mass that already bore a sphinx-like outline. This perspective emphasizes a collaboration between natural landforms and human artistry in the Sphinx’s early form.
In the present study, scientists from New York University recreated the conditions that would have existed around 4,500 years ago to better understand the Sphinx’s creation. The researchers modeled the landscape by focusing on yardangs, wind-eroded ridges and streamlined rock features common in desert environments. The team posits that a large yardang, resembling a reclining animal, could have served as a template or inspiration for the Sphinx statue.
For the experimental setup, the team used a soft clay matrix into which a harder, more resistant material was embedded. A rapid water flow was then applied to simulate the erosive action of wind-driven water and dust. The resulting formations yielded shapes that bore striking similarities to the Great Sphinx, reinforcing the idea that significant sculptural forms can arise from natural erosion under specific conditions.
Leif Ristroph, the senior author of the study, commented on the implications: “Our laboratory experiments show that remarkably Sphinx-like shapes can emerge from materials eroded by rapid flows. Today there are yardangs that resemble sitting or lying animals, which supports the possibility of an environmental contribution to the Sphinx’s silhouette.”
Earlier discussions about ancient monuments in Central Asia have highlighted a similar theme, where large-scale rock formations and human intervention intersect to create enduring symbols. The new findings contribute to a broader conversation about how ancient builders and natural landforms may have worked together to shape iconic monuments.