1 00:00:00,951 --> 00:00:03,127 (dramatic music) 2 00:00:04,538 --> 00:00:08,874 Mastrelli: A lion with the head of a man, 3 00:00:08,884 --> 00:00:12,344 Carved from a single piece of rock in the egyptian desert. 4 00:00:13,464 --> 00:00:16,724 No monument on earth is more recognizable, 5 00:00:16,800 --> 00:00:18,642 Or more puzzling. 6 00:00:18,719 --> 00:00:23,305 Now investigators will try to put a name to this face, 7 00:00:23,315 --> 00:00:26,817 And provide an answer to the oldest mystery of them all: 8 00:00:27,903 --> 00:00:29,987 The riddle of the sphinx. 9 00:00:32,241 --> 00:00:33,240 (dramatic music) 10 00:00:33,317 --> 00:00:35,826 For centuries, the mysteries 11 00:00:35,903 --> 00:00:40,247 Of the past have kept their secrets. 12 00:00:40,324 --> 00:00:44,168 But there are clues cast in gold, 13 00:00:44,244 --> 00:00:48,672 Etched in stone, written in blood. 14 00:00:48,749 --> 00:00:51,917 (dramatic music) 15 00:00:51,927 --> 00:00:54,086 We can unlock them. 16 00:00:54,096 --> 00:00:56,805 (dramatic music) 17 00:01:10,780 --> 00:01:13,113 Without any inscriptions from the time it was built, 18 00:01:13,190 --> 00:01:16,033 The sphinx has puzzled archeologists for centuries. 19 00:01:16,110 --> 00:01:18,952 But there's one thing we do know: 20 00:01:19,029 --> 00:01:20,954 There's no truth to the legend that one 21 00:01:21,031 --> 00:01:24,458 Of napoleon's cannon balls knocked off the sphinx's nose. 22 00:01:24,535 --> 00:01:26,627 Danish explorer frederic norden 23 00:01:26,703 --> 00:01:30,214 Had reported it missing 60 years earlier. 24 00:01:30,290 --> 00:01:33,133 The culprit is thought to be a devout sufi muslim, 25 00:01:33,210 --> 00:01:35,385 Who in the 14th century didn't like the idea 26 00:01:35,462 --> 00:01:38,639 That peasants were still making offerings to the statue. 27 00:01:38,715 --> 00:01:41,299 Almost 2,000 years after the last pharaoh, 28 00:01:41,310 --> 00:01:44,302 The sphinx was still being revered. 29 00:01:44,313 --> 00:01:45,646 It's a testament to one 30 00:01:45,722 --> 00:01:48,890 Of the most enigmatic statues ever created. 31 00:01:48,901 --> 00:01:51,819 (dramatic music) 32 00:01:52,905 --> 00:01:57,366 The sphinx, a mythical creature with the body of a lion 33 00:01:58,661 --> 00:02:00,244 And the head of a man. 34 00:02:02,164 --> 00:02:06,658 At nearly 60 feet high and 240 feet long, 35 00:02:06,669 --> 00:02:11,004 The sphinx is the biggest single stone statue in existence, 36 00:02:11,081 --> 00:02:15,801 As tall as a six-story building, as long as a 747 jet. 37 00:02:16,595 --> 00:02:19,429 It has watched over the world for millennia, 38 00:02:19,506 --> 00:02:22,599 And stands guard over the great pyramid 39 00:02:22,676 --> 00:02:27,104 Last survivor of the seven wonders of the ancient world. 40 00:02:27,181 --> 00:02:30,440 The sphinx has drawn explorers for centuries, 41 00:02:30,517 --> 00:02:34,528 And is one of the most studied treasures of all antiquity, 42 00:02:34,605 --> 00:02:37,698 But it remains a frustrating puzzle. 43 00:02:37,774 --> 00:02:39,533 Hartwig: We really don't know much about it. 44 00:02:39,610 --> 00:02:41,610 There are no texts that date from the time 45 00:02:41,620 --> 00:02:42,786 That it was built. 46 00:02:42,863 --> 00:02:44,196 You would have expected the egyptians 47 00:02:44,206 --> 00:02:46,123 To say something about it. 48 00:02:46,200 --> 00:02:48,041 We look at the sphinx and, what is it? 49 00:02:48,118 --> 00:02:49,117 What is it for? 50 00:02:49,128 --> 00:02:50,702 Who did it? 51 00:02:50,713 --> 00:02:52,204 These are sort of the enduring questions 52 00:02:52,214 --> 00:02:55,207 That we continue to ask as archeologists. 53 00:02:55,217 --> 00:02:56,791 Mastrelli: One text dating 54 00:02:56,802 --> 00:02:58,886 From after the sphinx's construction, 55 00:02:58,962 --> 00:03:01,463 During the reign of thutmose iv, 56 00:03:01,473 --> 00:03:05,383 Does give us an indication why the statue was revered 57 00:03:05,394 --> 00:03:06,351 In ancient egypt. 58 00:03:08,889 --> 00:03:11,899 Hartwig: This is an amazing stela, that is the first mention 59 00:03:11,975 --> 00:03:12,983 Of the sphinx. 60 00:03:14,144 --> 00:03:18,563 At the top of the stela we have two images of thutmose iv, 61 00:03:18,574 --> 00:03:21,742 And in one side he's actually incensing the sphinx 62 00:03:21,818 --> 00:03:24,828 And the other one he's giving water offerings. 63 00:03:24,905 --> 00:03:27,539 (dramatic music) 64 00:03:28,667 --> 00:03:31,251 Mastrelli: Carved on the tablet is a legend recorded 65 00:03:31,328 --> 00:03:35,330 By thutmose recounting an incident from his youth, 66 00:03:35,341 --> 00:03:36,924 When he was a young prince. 67 00:03:41,255 --> 00:03:44,256 On a hunting expedition, the young thutmose came 68 00:03:44,266 --> 00:03:47,851 Across the sphinx, buried up to its neck in desert sand. 69 00:03:49,179 --> 00:03:52,356 Exhausted by the midday sun, thutmose lay down 70 00:03:52,432 --> 00:03:54,107 In the shade of the giant statue. 71 00:03:55,778 --> 00:03:59,529 According to the story carved into the tablet, as he slept, 72 00:03:59,606 --> 00:04:03,283 The sphinx spoke to the young prince in a dream. 73 00:04:03,360 --> 00:04:04,442 Hartwig: So we know at this point now 74 00:04:04,453 --> 00:04:06,703 That the sand was covering the sphinx 75 00:04:06,780 --> 00:04:09,790 And in this dream the sphinx came to him and he said, 76 00:04:09,866 --> 00:04:12,042 "if you would clear away the sands from my body, 77 00:04:12,119 --> 00:04:13,794 "I will make you king." 78 00:04:13,870 --> 00:04:16,871 And that's exactly what he did, and thutmose iv became king, 79 00:04:16,882 --> 00:04:18,873 And he commemorated that very event 80 00:04:18,884 --> 00:04:21,051 In the stela that we call the dream stela. 81 00:04:23,639 --> 00:04:26,306 Mastrelli: So thutmose didn't build the sphinx. 82 00:04:26,383 --> 00:04:29,268 By the time he came to power it was already a ruin. 83 00:04:30,646 --> 00:04:33,730 He dug it from the sand and it's possible 84 00:04:33,807 --> 00:04:37,559 That without thutmose the sphinx might have been forgotten. 85 00:04:37,569 --> 00:04:41,321 But generations that came after followed his lead, 86 00:04:41,398 --> 00:04:43,657 Seeking the sphinx's blessing. 87 00:04:43,734 --> 00:04:44,992 Hartwig: With thutmose iv 88 00:04:45,068 --> 00:04:48,161 The cult of the sphinx just explodes. 89 00:04:48,238 --> 00:04:50,655 Mastrelli: From the time of thutmose onwards, 90 00:04:50,666 --> 00:04:53,583 The sphinx became a place of pilgrimage. 91 00:04:53,660 --> 00:04:57,170 The egyptians believed that worshiping the mighty statue 92 00:04:57,247 --> 00:04:59,581 Could bring health and good fortune. 93 00:04:59,591 --> 00:05:02,676 Hartwig: People would come from memphis, the capital city, 94 00:05:02,753 --> 00:05:04,761 They would come from all over egypt 95 00:05:04,838 --> 00:05:08,173 And they would come to the sphinx and leave gifts. 96 00:05:08,183 --> 00:05:10,175 Mastrelli: The egyptians of thutmose's day 97 00:05:10,185 --> 00:05:13,478 Called the sphinx hor-em-akhet, god of the sky. 98 00:05:15,515 --> 00:05:17,107 Three and a half thousand years ago 99 00:05:17,184 --> 00:05:20,110 The sphinx played a huge role in the egyptian world. 100 00:05:21,855 --> 00:05:25,866 But the question remains: Who built it in the first place? 101 00:05:25,942 --> 00:05:26,950 And why? 102 00:05:28,028 --> 00:05:31,621 At first glance, it seems obvious to link the sphinx 103 00:05:31,698 --> 00:05:36,001 To the man-made mountains that tower over it: The pyramids. 104 00:05:38,047 --> 00:05:40,955 The pyramid directly behind the sphinx was built 105 00:05:40,966 --> 00:05:41,840 By the pharaoh khafre. 106 00:05:45,471 --> 00:05:47,637 He also built the two temples nearby. 107 00:05:50,133 --> 00:05:53,977 So experts think that khafre is the most likely candidate. 108 00:05:56,065 --> 00:05:58,648 Lacovara: So the sphinx links up to all of these monuments 109 00:05:58,725 --> 00:06:02,310 Of khafre: The temple, the pyramid. 110 00:06:02,321 --> 00:06:04,738 So the sphinx sort of stands here as a guardian 111 00:06:04,815 --> 00:06:07,866 To all these monuments of khafre. 112 00:06:09,411 --> 00:06:12,079 Mastrelli: But that alone isn't proof. 113 00:06:12,155 --> 00:06:15,740 Some experts point the finger in another direction: 114 00:06:15,751 --> 00:06:18,001 To the builder of another great pyramid 115 00:06:18,078 --> 00:06:20,745 Which lies close to the sphinx. 116 00:06:20,756 --> 00:06:22,923 It was built by the father of khafre. 117 00:06:24,343 --> 00:06:26,301 His name was khufu. 118 00:06:28,180 --> 00:06:32,099 Khufu was the first pharaoh to build a pyramid at giza. 119 00:06:32,175 --> 00:06:36,436 And if any man was capable of thinking big, it was this guy. 120 00:06:36,513 --> 00:06:38,855 Hartwig: Khufu was an amazing innovator. 121 00:06:38,932 --> 00:06:41,182 You can't underestimate what he did, 122 00:06:41,193 --> 00:06:44,111 Because essentially he comes to a vast desolate place 123 00:06:44,187 --> 00:06:46,196 Which is the giza plateau 124 00:06:46,273 --> 00:06:48,698 And he builds egypt's largest pyramid. 125 00:06:50,193 --> 00:06:53,578 Mastrelli: Khufu's man-made mountain took 30 years to build 126 00:06:54,948 --> 00:06:57,207 And was the tallest structure in the world. 127 00:06:59,545 --> 00:07:01,294 Hartwig: Nothing like this had ever appeared 128 00:07:01,371 --> 00:07:03,380 On the landscape before. 129 00:07:03,457 --> 00:07:05,799 This pyramid was built as a type 130 00:07:05,876 --> 00:07:07,801 Of propagandistic statement, you know, 131 00:07:07,878 --> 00:07:09,428 This is the power of the pharaoh. 132 00:07:11,056 --> 00:07:13,473 Mastrelli: So maybe khufu could have built the sphinx. 133 00:07:14,968 --> 00:07:18,645 Having changed the face of egypt, why not go for broke. 134 00:07:18,722 --> 00:07:22,399 His face, there for all to see, for all time. 135 00:07:23,894 --> 00:07:25,819 This way, the theory goes, 136 00:07:25,896 --> 00:07:27,863 He would always be watching over them. 137 00:07:30,233 --> 00:07:32,993 Hartwig: This is the type of pharaoh that would have wanted 138 00:07:33,069 --> 00:07:36,154 To put his mark on the landscape not only in terms 139 00:07:36,165 --> 00:07:38,999 Of this pyramid but also in terms of the sphinx. 140 00:07:42,162 --> 00:07:45,580 Mastrelli: Dr. Melinda hartwig is in the khufu camp of belief: 141 00:07:45,591 --> 00:07:48,592 That it was he who built the sphinx and not his son khafre. 142 00:07:49,920 --> 00:07:51,419 And she is searching for evidence 143 00:07:51,430 --> 00:07:53,513 In the layout of the site 144 00:07:53,590 --> 00:07:55,515 To support her theory. 145 00:07:55,592 --> 00:07:56,674 Hartwig: Today this is the approach 146 00:07:56,685 --> 00:07:58,435 That most tourists would take. 147 00:07:58,512 --> 00:08:01,095 Here's the sphinx in front of us with the pyramid 148 00:08:01,106 --> 00:08:02,847 Of khafre behind. 149 00:08:02,858 --> 00:08:06,100 However, this wasn't how people saw it in the ancient world. 150 00:08:06,111 --> 00:08:07,602 They would have seen it slightly differently 151 00:08:07,613 --> 00:08:09,696 Because they would have been coming from the south. 152 00:08:11,107 --> 00:08:13,858 And so this would have been the first thing they saw: 153 00:08:13,869 --> 00:08:15,610 They would see the sphinx in profile 154 00:08:15,621 --> 00:08:17,871 And they would see the pyramid of khufu, not khafre. 155 00:08:18,957 --> 00:08:21,541 By seeing the sphinx in profile 156 00:08:21,618 --> 00:08:25,703 And the pyramid of khufu behind, you have a sense 157 00:08:25,714 --> 00:08:28,790 Of a two-dimensional rendering which was very important 158 00:08:28,800 --> 00:08:30,884 To the ancient egyptians. 159 00:08:30,961 --> 00:08:33,294 Mastrelli: In their carvings and paintings 160 00:08:33,305 --> 00:08:34,971 Egyptians loved a profile. 161 00:08:37,809 --> 00:08:40,477 Even some of their sculptures were designed 162 00:08:40,554 --> 00:08:42,187 To be viewed from sideways on. 163 00:08:43,732 --> 00:08:46,399 And when you look at this as an ancient egyptian, 164 00:08:46,476 --> 00:08:49,528 It appears as if the sphinx is guarding khufu's tomb. 165 00:08:51,398 --> 00:08:52,239 And that's not all. 166 00:08:53,325 --> 00:08:57,244 Dr. Hartwig turns her attention to the monuments of khafre, 167 00:08:57,320 --> 00:09:00,622 Khufu's son, the man assumed to have built the sphinx. 168 00:09:03,660 --> 00:09:06,294 Khafre's pyramid lies directly behind the sphinx. 169 00:09:08,340 --> 00:09:11,758 But hartwig finds a clue in the layout of the causeway 170 00:09:11,835 --> 00:09:14,636 That leads from khafre's pyramid down to his temple. 171 00:09:16,840 --> 00:09:17,922 Hartwig: So here is khafre's causeway. 172 00:09:17,933 --> 00:09:19,924 Now, this is where the body of the king 173 00:09:19,935 --> 00:09:24,020 Would have been brought up and then buried inside a pyramid. 174 00:09:24,097 --> 00:09:26,106 But when you analyze the position, there's something 175 00:09:26,182 --> 00:09:28,608 That just not quite right. 176 00:09:28,685 --> 00:09:31,194 You would expect the causeway to come right down here, 177 00:09:31,271 --> 00:09:34,439 Like right in front of me, and then head due east, 178 00:09:34,449 --> 00:09:37,284 But instead it swerves. 179 00:09:37,360 --> 00:09:40,111 Mastrelli: Traditionally, the ceremonial path leading 180 00:09:40,122 --> 00:09:43,748 To a pharaoh's pyramid runs due east, in a straight line. 181 00:09:45,035 --> 00:09:46,534 Not this one. 182 00:09:46,545 --> 00:09:49,120 Khafre's causeway is set at an angle 183 00:09:49,131 --> 00:09:51,548 And it appears to go around the sphinx. 184 00:09:52,792 --> 00:09:56,052 Hartwig: It swerves, it's over here, and it swerves 185 00:09:56,129 --> 00:09:58,972 To avoid something, and that thing is the sphinx, 186 00:09:59,049 --> 00:10:01,891 Which means that the sphinx existed there 187 00:10:01,968 --> 00:10:02,976 Already before khafre. 188 00:10:04,646 --> 00:10:06,187 Mastrelli: If the sphinx was already here, 189 00:10:07,733 --> 00:10:11,067 Then that points to it being khufu's creation. 190 00:10:11,144 --> 00:10:14,062 But the final piece of evidence in melinda's theory 191 00:10:14,072 --> 00:10:16,230 May be the most compelling. 192 00:10:16,241 --> 00:10:18,900 Can we match the face on the sphinx 193 00:10:18,910 --> 00:10:21,411 With a known representation of khufu? 194 00:10:22,998 --> 00:10:24,164 Dr. Melinda hartwig 195 00:10:24,240 --> 00:10:26,249 Has identified some compelling reasons 196 00:10:26,326 --> 00:10:29,410 Why khufu may be the pharaoh who built the sphinx. 197 00:10:29,421 --> 00:10:31,829 It's a project that requires a massive ego, 198 00:10:31,840 --> 00:10:34,841 And his pyramid is the largest on the giza plateau. 199 00:10:34,918 --> 00:10:36,843 But does khufu bear any resemblance 200 00:10:36,920 --> 00:10:38,094 With the face of the sphinx? 201 00:10:39,756 --> 00:10:43,350 To explore the question, melinda has come to the only place 202 00:10:43,426 --> 00:10:46,844 In the world where there's a confirmed likeness of khufu: 203 00:10:46,855 --> 00:10:49,105 The egyptian museum in cairo. 204 00:10:50,517 --> 00:10:53,768 What happens when we compare that image 205 00:10:53,779 --> 00:10:55,528 To the face of the sphinx? 206 00:10:56,856 --> 00:10:58,856 Hartwig: When we look at the face of khufu 207 00:10:58,867 --> 00:11:00,784 He has very broad planes 208 00:11:00,860 --> 00:11:04,204 To his face, his ears are pushed forward, 209 00:11:04,280 --> 00:11:05,947 He has deep set eyes. 210 00:11:05,957 --> 00:11:08,958 These are the same features that we see on the sphinx, 211 00:11:09,035 --> 00:11:12,087 So it makes perfect sense that the sphinx is khufu. 212 00:11:13,548 --> 00:11:16,716 Mastrelli: There seems to be a resemblance between the two. 213 00:11:16,793 --> 00:11:18,635 And there's another clue here: 214 00:11:18,712 --> 00:11:21,379 In every known statue of khafre, 215 00:11:21,390 --> 00:11:23,765 He's shown wearing a ceremonial beard. 216 00:11:24,976 --> 00:11:26,768 But the sphinx doesn't have a beard, 217 00:11:27,896 --> 00:11:30,397 And neither does this statue of khufu. 218 00:11:31,983 --> 00:11:35,727 There's only one problem: This statue is less 219 00:11:35,737 --> 00:11:36,945 Than four inches tall. 220 00:11:40,066 --> 00:11:41,983 Hartwig: In getting a positive id, 221 00:11:41,993 --> 00:11:45,820 Of course you need more than just this small little statue. 222 00:11:45,831 --> 00:11:48,248 It's such a tiny thing to compare against something 223 00:11:48,324 --> 00:11:50,417 As massive as the sphinx. 224 00:11:50,493 --> 00:11:52,744 In the end there is so little evidence 225 00:11:52,754 --> 00:11:54,337 That we can be absolutely sure 226 00:11:54,414 --> 00:11:56,414 Of whose face is on the sphinx. 227 00:11:56,425 --> 00:12:00,251 (dramatic music) 228 00:12:00,262 --> 00:12:02,595 Mastrelli: It seems likely the sphinx was built 229 00:12:02,672 --> 00:12:06,182 By one of the pharaohs that built these pyramids. 230 00:12:06,259 --> 00:12:09,185 Khufu is a very convincing candidate, 231 00:12:09,262 --> 00:12:12,856 But his son khafre is perhaps an even stronger choice, 232 00:12:12,932 --> 00:12:16,317 As his pyramid lies directly behind the sphinx. 233 00:12:17,529 --> 00:12:22,190 Dr. Peter lacovara has decided to explore khafre's causeway. 234 00:12:22,200 --> 00:12:25,368 It's a raised path that still exists today, 235 00:12:26,788 --> 00:12:29,205 Passing right beside the sphinx enclosure 236 00:12:29,282 --> 00:12:31,583 And running uphill to khafre's pyramid. 237 00:12:32,702 --> 00:12:35,119 Lacovara: We're looking up at the causeway that runs 238 00:12:35,130 --> 00:12:37,881 From the pyramid all the way down to the temple. 239 00:12:39,551 --> 00:12:41,968 Mastrelli: At the corner of the sphinx enclosure, 240 00:12:42,045 --> 00:12:44,045 Lacovara has found an important piece 241 00:12:44,055 --> 00:12:46,639 Of evidence left behind by khafre's builders. 242 00:12:47,801 --> 00:12:48,725 Lacovara: What's really interesting 243 00:12:48,802 --> 00:12:50,134 Is you can see up here 244 00:12:50,145 --> 00:12:52,637 In the corner there's a cut that's been filled in 245 00:12:52,647 --> 00:12:56,641 By modern blocks, and we think there was a drainage ditch 246 00:12:56,651 --> 00:13:00,061 That siphoned water off from the causeway down 247 00:13:00,071 --> 00:13:03,481 Into this big depression where the quarry was 248 00:13:03,492 --> 00:13:06,201 And would have flooded this area when it did rain. 249 00:13:08,330 --> 00:13:11,155 Mastrelli: The purpose of khafre's drainage channel was 250 00:13:11,166 --> 00:13:12,916 To prevent his causeway from flooding 251 00:13:14,252 --> 00:13:16,828 By draining off rainwater into the area 252 00:13:16,838 --> 00:13:18,379 Where the sphinx sits today. 253 00:13:20,258 --> 00:13:23,000 Lacovara believes this is evidence 254 00:13:23,011 --> 00:13:24,969 The sphinx didn't exist before khafre. 255 00:13:27,173 --> 00:13:28,673 Lacovara: Clearly it doesn't make sense 256 00:13:28,683 --> 00:13:30,266 That if this had already existed, 257 00:13:30,343 --> 00:13:33,010 If the sphinx had been built, say, by khufu, 258 00:13:33,021 --> 00:13:35,513 They wouldn't be flooding this area with water. 259 00:13:35,524 --> 00:13:37,765 There would be no reason to be pouring water 260 00:13:37,776 --> 00:13:39,692 In to this great monument. 261 00:13:40,946 --> 00:13:42,862 So it seems clear that that is evidence 262 00:13:42,939 --> 00:13:47,075 That this sphinx was made by khafre and late in his reign. 263 00:13:48,370 --> 00:13:51,454 Mastrelli: If lacovara is right, then when khafre came 264 00:13:51,531 --> 00:13:55,533 To the throne this area was nothing more than a pit used 265 00:13:55,544 --> 00:13:58,211 For collecting excess rainwater, 266 00:13:58,288 --> 00:14:01,589 The sphinx hadn't yet been carved from the stone. 267 00:14:03,218 --> 00:14:06,219 Unlike the pyramids, the sphinx wasn't built out 268 00:14:06,296 --> 00:14:09,380 Of blocks hauled to the location. 269 00:14:09,391 --> 00:14:12,684 It was carved right out of the bedrock in a single piece. 270 00:14:14,220 --> 00:14:16,980 So whoever it was that built the sphinx, 271 00:14:17,056 --> 00:14:19,732 Started by removing thousands of tons of rock 272 00:14:19,809 --> 00:14:24,529 From the desert floor, in the form of huge multi-ton blocks. 273 00:14:26,324 --> 00:14:29,400 The lump of rock left behind was then carved 274 00:14:29,411 --> 00:14:31,244 Into the shape of the sphinx. 275 00:14:32,831 --> 00:14:36,165 And the composition of the rock offers an interesting trail 276 00:14:36,242 --> 00:14:40,420 Of clues as to who may have built the statue. 277 00:14:40,496 --> 00:14:43,247 Lacovara: If you look, the limestone is layered 278 00:14:43,258 --> 00:14:44,832 Like a layer cake, 279 00:14:44,843 --> 00:14:47,594 And some layers were softer than others depending 280 00:14:47,670 --> 00:14:50,671 On what was in them, and so they've eroded more 281 00:14:50,682 --> 00:14:52,348 Than the layers above and below them. 282 00:14:54,510 --> 00:14:56,853 Mastrelli: Lacovara has identified a tell-tale pattern 283 00:14:56,930 --> 00:14:57,937 In the limestone. 284 00:14:59,524 --> 00:15:02,442 Some layers are harder and more durable than others. 285 00:15:03,778 --> 00:15:06,946 And that leaves a unique pattern of weathering running 286 00:15:07,023 --> 00:15:09,032 Through the rock of the sphinx today. 287 00:15:11,036 --> 00:15:14,028 Lacovara has also identified this same pattern 288 00:15:14,039 --> 00:15:18,199 In the temple built by khafre in front of the sphinx. 289 00:15:18,209 --> 00:15:22,203 He sees exactly the same sequence of soft and hard rock. 290 00:15:22,213 --> 00:15:24,464 The grooves in the walls of the temple 291 00:15:24,540 --> 00:15:27,800 And the grooves on the sphinx match. 292 00:15:27,877 --> 00:15:30,211 Lacovara: It's incredible, you can see here 293 00:15:30,221 --> 00:15:33,130 Where we have this differential pattern of wear. 294 00:15:33,141 --> 00:15:36,300 Here's this soft layer here that runs across this block 295 00:15:36,311 --> 00:15:38,144 And the neighboring block. 296 00:15:38,221 --> 00:15:39,971 They're all sort of like fingerprints, 297 00:15:39,981 --> 00:15:42,723 They all tell us exactly where they came from, 298 00:15:42,734 --> 00:15:45,902 And so we can match them all up with the rock 299 00:15:45,979 --> 00:15:47,528 On the sphinx's body itself. 300 00:15:49,658 --> 00:15:52,984 Mastrelli: The unique pattern running through the stone proves 301 00:15:52,994 --> 00:15:55,995 That the rock that once surrounded the sphinx's body 302 00:15:56,072 --> 00:15:58,414 Was taken to make khafre's temples. 303 00:15:59,492 --> 00:16:02,585 So the sphinx itself must have been carved 304 00:16:02,662 --> 00:16:04,087 After khafre's temples. 305 00:16:05,248 --> 00:16:08,049 There was no sphinx before that time. 306 00:16:09,085 --> 00:16:10,510 Lacovara: I think there's no doubt 307 00:16:10,586 --> 00:16:12,253 That khafre built the great sphinx, 308 00:16:12,263 --> 00:16:15,515 I think all the evidence points in that direction. 309 00:16:15,591 --> 00:16:17,517 Mastrelli: So the face on the sphinx has a name. 310 00:16:19,012 --> 00:16:21,104 This is khafre. 311 00:16:22,849 --> 00:16:24,065 One question remains: 312 00:16:26,444 --> 00:16:29,696 Can we discover why he built this monster? 313 00:16:29,772 --> 00:16:32,448 (dramatic music) 314 00:16:34,119 --> 00:16:36,285 The great sphinx of giza was built 315 00:16:36,362 --> 00:16:39,622 By the pharaoh khafre around 4,500 years ago. 316 00:16:41,367 --> 00:16:44,377 But what motivated him to create this vast structure? 317 00:16:46,289 --> 00:16:51,467 Around 2494 bce the pharaoh khafre died, 318 00:16:51,544 --> 00:16:54,137 After ruling egypt for a quarter of a century. 319 00:16:55,390 --> 00:16:57,882 But he wasn't forgotten. 320 00:16:57,892 --> 00:17:00,551 Just a stone's throw from the sphinx, 321 00:17:00,562 --> 00:17:04,147 Archeologists have recently discovered a special cemetery 322 00:17:04,223 --> 00:17:06,524 Dedicated to priests of khafre. 323 00:17:07,810 --> 00:17:11,145 Their job was to keep his name alive after his death 324 00:17:11,156 --> 00:17:14,240 Through religious rituals and offerings to the gods. 325 00:17:15,577 --> 00:17:19,328 It's now believed that this cult of khafre lasted far longer 326 00:17:19,405 --> 00:17:21,822 Than previously suspected. 327 00:17:21,833 --> 00:17:25,251 For hundreds of years priests tended khafre's temple. 328 00:17:26,921 --> 00:17:29,080 But why did khafre's memory survive 329 00:17:29,090 --> 00:17:31,340 For so many centuries after his death? 330 00:17:33,086 --> 00:17:36,337 The answer and the final clue to the mystery 331 00:17:36,347 --> 00:17:39,766 Of the sphinx lies with the giant statue itself 332 00:17:39,842 --> 00:17:41,851 And the temple that sits at its paws. 333 00:17:44,764 --> 00:17:47,523 Archeologists call this the sphinx temple. 334 00:17:47,600 --> 00:17:49,525 Built by the pharaoh khafre, 335 00:17:49,602 --> 00:17:51,861 It's the only one of its kind in egypt. 336 00:17:53,523 --> 00:17:57,533 Lacovara: Around it are these remains of huge pillars 337 00:17:57,610 --> 00:18:01,779 Which would have had giant statues of khafre standing 338 00:18:01,790 --> 00:18:03,372 In front of them. 339 00:18:03,449 --> 00:18:08,285 And then this one here, one over here, one over here, 340 00:18:08,296 --> 00:18:12,465 One there, so we have 12 statues in total. 341 00:18:14,803 --> 00:18:17,962 Mastrelli: Altogether, lacovara maps out the positions 342 00:18:17,972 --> 00:18:22,391 Of 24 stone pillars and what he believes 343 00:18:22,468 --> 00:18:24,969 Were 12 huge statues of khafre. 344 00:18:24,979 --> 00:18:28,064 (dramatic music) 345 00:18:28,141 --> 00:18:31,308 To lacovara, this means khafre 346 00:18:31,319 --> 00:18:33,694 And his people were sun worshipers. 347 00:18:36,399 --> 00:18:39,400 Lacovara: It's a time when the god of the sun 348 00:18:39,410 --> 00:18:42,411 Is becoming much more important in egyptian religion. 349 00:18:43,832 --> 00:18:47,491 The solar symbolism of this temple is pretty clear, 350 00:18:47,502 --> 00:18:50,419 It's reflected in the numbers of the statues, 351 00:18:50,496 --> 00:18:52,171 Symbolizing the hours of the day. 352 00:18:54,750 --> 00:18:57,501 Mastrelli: This is the key to understanding the purpose 353 00:18:57,512 --> 00:18:58,302 Of the sphinx. 354 00:19:01,507 --> 00:19:04,183 It's part of a vast cosmic building project. 355 00:19:07,438 --> 00:19:10,931 And when lacovara maps out the positions of khafre's temple, 356 00:19:10,942 --> 00:19:13,609 The sphinx and the pyramid, 357 00:19:13,686 --> 00:19:15,778 Their religious significance becomes clear. 358 00:19:17,532 --> 00:19:21,609 He discovers that during the spring and fall equinoxes, 359 00:19:21,619 --> 00:19:23,944 The two special times of the year when day 360 00:19:23,955 --> 00:19:26,539 And night are in perfect balance, 361 00:19:26,616 --> 00:19:31,294 Sphinx, temple and pyramid are all perfectly aligned 362 00:19:31,370 --> 00:19:33,379 With the rising and setting sun. 363 00:19:35,800 --> 00:19:37,133 Lacovara: And you can kind of visualize it 364 00:19:37,210 --> 00:19:40,628 'cause during the equinox the sun rises directly 365 00:19:40,638 --> 00:19:42,796 Over this court. 366 00:19:42,807 --> 00:19:45,224 In the center axis of the temple we have a niche 367 00:19:45,301 --> 00:19:48,728 For a statue, and then on the opposite wall 368 00:19:48,804 --> 00:19:52,648 Of the temple we have another niche also on center axis, 369 00:19:52,725 --> 00:19:55,568 And these two statues would be illuminated 370 00:19:55,645 --> 00:19:58,738 During the equinox so the sun would rise 371 00:19:58,814 --> 00:20:01,398 And light up the statues giving birth to the statue 372 00:20:01,409 --> 00:20:04,235 As it's illuminated, then as it makes its arc 373 00:20:04,245 --> 00:20:07,571 Across the sky, the statue would be darkened to die 374 00:20:07,582 --> 00:20:10,917 And then it would illuminate the other one showing it reborn 375 00:20:10,993 --> 00:20:14,503 So we have this eternal cycle of death and rebirth. 376 00:20:14,580 --> 00:20:16,497 (dramatic music) 377 00:20:16,507 --> 00:20:18,758 Mastrelli: On these special days of the year, 378 00:20:18,834 --> 00:20:22,086 The sun passes over the temple and drops down 379 00:20:22,096 --> 00:20:25,348 Behind the sphinx itself to the base of khafre's pyramid. 380 00:20:27,518 --> 00:20:32,271 Sun, pyramid, sphinx, temple, all united, 381 00:20:35,017 --> 00:20:38,185 With the sphinx, the symbol of the pharaoh himself, 382 00:20:38,196 --> 00:20:40,613 Presenting offerings to the sun god. 383 00:20:40,690 --> 00:20:42,698 Lacovara: This is a giant representation 384 00:20:42,775 --> 00:20:45,409 Of khafre offering this temple to the gods. 385 00:20:46,946 --> 00:20:47,954 Mastrelli: We can look at the sphinx 386 00:20:48,030 --> 00:20:49,455 And call it a vanity project: 387 00:20:51,042 --> 00:20:54,126 A man carves his own image directly into a rock face, 388 00:20:55,880 --> 00:21:00,040 But in fact, the ambition behind it seems far bigger. 389 00:21:00,051 --> 00:21:03,344 The way all this was built, the positioning of each stone, 390 00:21:04,389 --> 00:21:08,474 The alignment of sphinx with temple and pyramids, 391 00:21:08,551 --> 00:21:11,644 These make it a piece of precision engineering. 392 00:21:11,721 --> 00:21:15,723 And the way lacovara reads it, it all has a special purpose: 393 00:21:15,733 --> 00:21:20,736 To give khafre nothing less than immortality. 394 00:21:20,813 --> 00:21:22,989 Lacovara: So the main purpose of all this construction, 395 00:21:23,065 --> 00:21:27,326 All this building, was to ensure the eternal life, 396 00:21:27,403 --> 00:21:29,912 The immortal existence of the pharaoh, of khafre. 397 00:21:31,082 --> 00:21:34,000 Mastrelli: And although his world eventually vanished, 398 00:21:34,076 --> 00:21:38,245 Khafre's plan to live forever seems to have worked. 399 00:21:38,256 --> 00:21:40,006 (rumbling) 400 00:21:40,082 --> 00:21:43,342 Millions of tourists still flock to egypt to gaze in wonder 401 00:21:43,419 --> 00:21:45,753 Upon the face of khafre. 402 00:21:45,763 --> 00:21:48,088 These are not the devoted pilgrimages of the time 403 00:21:48,099 --> 00:21:50,433 Of thutmose iv, and even 404 00:21:50,509 --> 00:21:52,184 If the visitors don't leave offerings 405 00:21:52,261 --> 00:21:54,762 And instead return home with souvenirs, 406 00:21:54,772 --> 00:21:57,523 It's probably not a big deal for khafre, 407 00:21:57,600 --> 00:21:59,066 It's the attention that matters.