Riddles of the Sphinx: A Review - the Scientia Review

Riddles of the Sphinx: A Review
Nick Gaivoronski
Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science
“Riddles of the Sphinx” is a PBS NOVA entirely focused on the examination of the great sphinx
of Giza. In the film, a team of researchers take up the task of revealing the meaning behind the sphinx
and the methods used in engineering the great sculpture. Using geological evidence and ancient
historical knowledge, the team attempts to pinpoint the time period and technicalities of the
construction of the sphinx and employs experts in ancient culture and masonry to reconstruct parts of
the sculpture and decode the symbolism behind the world wonder. Eventually, after harnessing ancient
tools and sculpting techniques, the team manages to recreate a smaller version of the great sphinx in the
methods they originally proposed, effectively proving their theories correct. After close examination of
the architecture and degradation of the sphinx, the team successfully also deduces the two pharaohs
responsible for the construction and restoration of the great sphinx, as well as the purpose behind the
monument.
The film presents well, and the information conveys at a steady pace. The program provided
sufficient background evidence and explored other possible theories before stating the conclusions of
the scientists and archeologists. The film argues the points it makes through expository tactics:
explaining details and focusing a proper amount of time on each point so the viewer can comprehend
all of the information presented. The film also balances a great deal of evidence and information with
many anecdotes and visual representations. The film treads on a fine line between a boring
informational cinematic and a story-fueled program for adolescents. The film successfully conveys the
theories of the researchers, but does not spend enough time on possible loopholes and other conflicting
arguments, thus it indirectly implies that the opinions of the scientists are indisputable.
Although the team of scientists and archeologists demonstrate that their hypotheses can be true,
they do not prove their theories as absolutely correct. Their first claim, the identity of the pharaoh
responsible for the original construction, cannot be confirmed without a doubt. There is a major
ongoing debate as to who constructed the sphinx. Either pharaoh Khufu, the builder of the great
pyramid, or pharaoh Djedefre, Khufu's son and builder of his own later ruined pyramid designed the
monument. The team claims that pharaoh Khufu was responsible for the original construction of the
sphinx because the statue resembles the pharaoh's face. Also, the temple of the sphinx is constructed so
that during a sunset light passes through both entrances of the temple, over the shoulder of the sphinx,
and continues on to the great pyramid. This path of light resembles the pharaoh's road to the afterlife
and theoretically links both constructions. However, the team stated earlier that the face of the sphinx
had a beard before the forces of nature destroyed it, and all depictions of Khufu in that time period
were beardless, while the pharaoh Djedefre was renowned for his elegant beard. Moreover, the path of
light linking the temple of the sphinx, the sphinx itself, and the great pyramid could have been added
later by Djedefre out of respect for his father, or because Djedefre's personal pyramid is nothing
compared to Khufu's in size and stature. While the team does provide an excellent argument as to the
creator of the sphinx, the researchers do not present any conclusive evidence and disagree with popular
opinion on the matter.
While it is difficult to provide any physical evidence for ancient history, the team, nevertheless,
bases many of their conclusions on assumptions. When focusing on the meaning behind the sphinx, the

team of scientists and archeologists claim that the sphinx was originally meant to represent the power
and glory of the pharaoh who ordered the initial construction, and as the deity which governs and
protects the pharaoh's journey to the afterlife after the reconstruction effort 1000 years after the sphinx
was abandoned. However, these theories are shaky at best in terms of accuracy, and they should not be
accepted for absolute truth. While the scientists say that the sphinx was originally meant to resemble
the assumed builder of the statue, pharaoh Khufu, this contradicts the earlier evidence of light cast
through the temple of the sphinx creating a pathway to the afterlife because then the sphinx would be
partially standing in the way of path, thus resembling a guardian. Therefore, the sphinx is not
necessarily Khufu or Djedefre but perhaps a guardian built in their image simply to please them. Also,
while the team is most likely correct in their theories regarding the construction of the main body of the
sphinx: their claim that the body was dug out of limestone, their hypothesis concerning the origin of the
head is very disputable. The team claims that the sphinx was dug out next to a rock protruding out of
the surface which would later become the head of the sphinx.
Although the team has insurmountable geological evidence for their first theory, their second
claim would only be valid if the sphinx was not placed as exactly as it was in relation to the temple.
The pathway of light from the temple of the sphinx, across the shoulder of the sphinx, and strait to the
great pyramid of Giza is too accurate to be coincidental. The argument behind this could be that the
sphinx was built before the pyramid, but this would not make any sense because the sphinx was
intended to be either a guardian for the pathway to the underworld or a sculpture promoting the
pharaoh's power. However, the latter would only be built after the pyramid and would not be a very
effective sculpture to the greatness of the pharaoh if it was so far away from the city of Giza. The
building of both projects simultaneously would also be improbable because the amount of manpower to
build both marvels of architecture at the same time would be too much because of all of the people
required to make and maintain tools while carving and digging and carrying blocks up the pyramid.
The team of scientists and archeologists did a good job in explaining the way in which the sphinx was
built and roughly pinpointing the time and length of the construction and restoration of the sphinx, but
they were nearsighted in some of their claims.
The film “Riddles of the Sphinx”, which originally aired on September 27 th , 2008, is an
informative and well presented NOVA focusing on dismantling the mysteries of the sphinx. The film is
well paced and provides sufficient evidence for most of the theories of the scientists while not losing
the audience's attention. The film is able to draw a clear and vivid picture of the construction and
purpose as well as the time period of the great sphinx for the viewer in a little more than fifty minutes.
However, even though the film conveys a multitude of evidence in support of the claims made by the
team of scientists, it does not focus enough on ulterior theories and loopholes in the arguments of the
team, such as the possibility of the sphinx originally intended to be a guardian of the underworld. I
enjoyed the “Riddles of the Sphinx” (http://www.sidereel.com/NOVA/season-37/episode-11) NOVA
very much and give it a rating of four stars out of five.