Since history seems to be rewriting itself based on current discoveries, we've included both the conventional and alternative views of historical interpretation. Keep in mind that we have only included historical entries that pertain to the Sphinx and Great Pyramid, not the whole of ancient Egypt.
NOTE: Every attempt has been made to provide accurate accounts. But since we are not historians (nor wish to be) we always welcome feedback. If you think we've made an error (ie. dates, names, etc. have been misspelled or incorrectly attributed or are just plain wrong), we want to know. (Please be specific when referring to the offending information.)
c.10,500 B.C. (Alternative)
Based on weathering patterns, Sphinx is believed to have been carved during the heavy rains of the last ice age. This is not a popular belief among archaeologists because, based on that time frame, the ancient Egyptians are not in the picture. (see West's research)
c.10,500 B.C. (Alternative)
Based on theories of primitive building technologies at the time of Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops) and a lack of egyptological evidence within the Great Pyramid (unlike almost every other monument of Egypt which are covered head to toe in hieroglyphs), and based on the discovery of Robert Bauval that not only are the three pyramids of the Giza necropolis in the exact formation of the constellation Orion's belt, but they are astro-physically aligned in no other year but 10,500 B.C., the open-minded and adventure seekers cling to mythological accounts of the advanced race of Atlantis... the Atlantians! And of course the extra-terrestrial theories abound.
c.3,500-2,500 B.C. (Conventional)
Based on what evidence that does exist and the chronologic reign of the Pharaohs for which the Pyramids your supposedly built, it is accepted that the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) was built closer to 2,500 B.C. using several hundred workers.
Theories of how the Pyramid was built include the common spiraling ramp, levers, one long ramp, etc. But they are still theories. No solid evidence has surfaced to enlighten our advanced civilization (who still can't figure out how those 'primitive' ancients built such a precise building–more precise than any building constructed to date.)
c.2,500 B.C. (Conventional)
Based on the widely accepted belief that Pharaoh Khafre (Chephren)–Khufu's (Cheops') son–carved the Sphinx in his likeness to protect his pyramid, the Sphinx almost 4,500 years old.
c.1,400 B.C.
According to the stela–believed to have been inscribed by Thutmosis IV– found between the Sphinx's haunches, during the 18th Dynasty, Thutmosis IV had a dream in which the Sphinx appeared and prophesied that if Thutmosis IV cleared away the sand that had once again re-claimed the Great Sphinx he would be made king.
Thutmosis IV cleared the sand, thereby symbolically freeing the Sphinx and became Pharaoh.
c.820 A.D.
Caliph Al Mamoun burrows an entrance into the Great Pyramid (while looking for the Pharaoh's treasure), since the true, secret entrance is still not visible. This burrowed passageway is the entrance visitors use to access the internal ascending passsageway.
1798
Napoleon and his troops find only the Sphinx's head peeking above the blanket of sand.
1817-18
Giovanni Caviglia uncovered the Sphinx's chapel while hunting for a secret passage into the colossal half man-half lion statue.
1922
Although not Sphinx or Great Pyramid related, extraordinary none the less. Howard Carter finds the largest Pharaoh's treasure to date... King Tutankhamen's tomb. (Makes one wonder how many more are buried nearby.)
1926
The Sphinx was cleared of sand, once again, by French engineer Emile Baraize. Baraize did extensive repair work (new meaning to the term "body shop") on the weathering headdress flaps. Still visible today!
1936-37
Egyptian archaeologist Selim Hassan discovered and excavated a mud-brick wall around the Sphinx enclosure with several bricks stamped "Thutmose IV". The wall was constructed, it is believed, to keep back the ever encroaching sand. As you well know, it failed.
1940's
Famous psychic, Edgar Cayce, revealed the location of the Hall of Records as between the Sphinx and Great Pyramid. He also prophesied that a chamber would be discovered (in the last quarter of the 20th century) under the paws of the Sphinx containing the historical records of Atlantis. With what's been discovered, his predictions become more fascinating.
1978-82
Archaeologists Dr. Mark Lehner scientifically maps the Sphinx. Using stereoscopic photography and Lehner's own data (painstakingly collected by crawling over the Sphinx) a 3d model was constructed using over 2.6 million points.
The face of Chephren was super-imposed on the large statue to attempt to prove ownership. The debate still rages!
