Second Sphinx found?

[Micael]

So you may have seen certain reports/claims (very controversial) over the last year of massive structures detected by scans underneat the Giza pyramids. I’ve held off on discussing this for the simple reason that the technology used to execute these scans is new, using pretty unorthodox means, and I’m just not sure what to make of it. How accurate is it, could the ”structures” be some sort of sensor ghost and so forth. After having listened through many more hours worth of interviews with the inventor of the technology, Dr. Filippo Biondi, than I probably should have, I now at least feel that there is a chance that it can give ”real” results, as he’s explained and underpinned the results a bit more.

Now, he’s announced a new find on the Giza plateau, and this might be something a bit easier to prove/disprove, and thus give us a more firm indication of whether the structures underneat the pyramids themselves are real.

So, in short he thinks that he has located a second Sphinx, he’s gotten a return of the appropriate size (compared to the known Sphinx), with passageways and so forth, in a mirrored location on the other side of the pyramids.

IMG_1870.png

At the end of line B is the known Sphinx, his return is at the end of line A, ie mirrored and along parallell lines from the two main pyramids. If it is there it is buried under 180 ft of hardened sand, and Biondi claims 80% confidence in the find.

The existence of a second Sphinx has been speculated on before, especially as the Dream Stele found at the known Sphinx has on it depictions of two Sphinxes. So in that sense it is marginally less controversial of an idea than the previously claimed massive structures under the pyramids. But, I think I’ll need some more proof before I treat this as a definitive find.

[MikeKozlowski]

...You know, this is how the movie always starts....

Mike

[jemhouston]

Don't worry until someone says, "It's just a book, what harm could come from reading it?"

[Sukhoiman]

Zahi Hawass (and thus Egypt govt) I assume is still deadset against poking around underground?

[Simon Darkshade]

“How did he go with that digging at the Pyramid? Oh how awful…Did he at least die painlessly? To shreds you say? Well, how's his wife holding up? ... To shreds, you say?"

[Nik_SpeakerToCats]

IIRC, there are sundry sphinxes scattered along the Nile in 'Cataract Country'...

Also, that bizarre deep descending gallery to empty chamber in plateau beneath Great Pyramid suggests Giza Plateau was extensively reworked. Instead of 'temple plus underground tomb' pairings, all cleared away and pyramids built on top...

And, yes, exasperating official reluctance to poke probes / cameras etc **anywhere**. Especially into prior holes, gaps. Among other issues at stake are if Great Pyramid is but inner + outer ashlar with rubble back-fill, per Medieval 'twin-wall' castles. Ditto suggestion that pyramid had square-spiral tunnel for hauling blocks at <10 % angle etc etc...
Of course, while such mysteries are allowed to endure, competing Egyptologists may thrive along the pundit trail...

[jemhouston]

https://twitchy.com/gordon-k/2026/03/27/sphinx-n2426475

[Nik_SpeakerToCats]

IMHO, a foil-lined hard-hat and a mug of well-brewed 'Builders Tea' are essential for safely negotiating that site...

[Micael]

Zahi Hawass (and thus Egypt govt) I assume is still deadset against poking around underground?

More or less. As I understand it there is going to be some exploration of the void over the grand gallery soon though. I get the feeling that you have to have ample room in your excavation budget for paying certain individuals if you want to be able to do it at all.

[Nik_SpeakerToCats]

Snark:
Technically is for 'Loss of Earnings' due debunked position, plus an advance for Ghost Writer's do-over...
/

I'm still reminded of the US team who'd spent years pleading to work in 'Valley of the Kings'.
Eventually, was grudgingly granted a barren dig-site in a small, sad, well-studied corner.
Except they only went and found unexpected tunnels buried by later work, mazes of rooms etc etc...
Much, much chagrin ensued...

[Calder]

Could someone please explain Egypt's motive here? Otherwise, it sounds like a conspiracy theory. I mean, I get wanting bribes, but then trying to sabotage the team and not wanting them to discover new artifacts? You would think that it would be in Egypt's interest for new discovers as that will just drive more tourism dollars and other interest in the region.

[MFOM]

Could someone please explain Egypt's motive here? Otherwise, it sounds like a conspiracy theory. I mean, I get wanting bribes, but then trying to sabotage the team and not wanting them to discover new artifacts? You would think that it would be in Egypt's interest for new discovers as that will just drive more tourism dollars and other interest in the region.

Some Archaeologists can be stuck in their ways, particularly political ones, often suppressing or ignoring new evidence, someone once quipped that the profession advances one death at a time.

[Sukhoiman]

From what I understand its combo of:

- Worry about damage
- Zahi ego + nativist sentiment (everything got to go through us, as counter-reaction to us having no say on that for long time before and what was taken, damaged, destroyed etc)....so a general scapegoating of foreigner spurred/led archaeology in the country.
-Zahi wanting to be congruent as much as possible with Egyptian govt, feels he has earned being a be all end all chokepoint authority etc.
- Future tech will inevitably advance to even more non-invasiveness etc. Kick the can to digs then.

I think the nativism is the innermost layer given how conservative-autocrat govts work in this part of world to begin with.

[Belushi TD]

There's also the Islam angle, which comes in two flavors.

1. Radical Islam: Radical Islam is very against anything that predates the coming of Muhammed. They are also against anything that is a representation of a person. Violently so. (See the destruction they wreak on just about everything ancient artifact with a human face once they take over a region.)

2. Non radical Islam: The non radical Islamics, particularly the archaeologists, recognize where their gravy train comes from, and are VERY reluctant to allow anything to happen to said gravy train. They will keep out just about anyone they are even a little bit suspicious that they might not do exactly what they want with regards to research. There's a fairly large industry in Egypt that is based on the mystery of the pyramids, and if too many answers are discovered too quickly, they are (possibly rightly) afraid their livelihood will evaporate. And the people in charge want their baksheesh.

And then there's all the standard academic fears of someone stealing your research and publishing first and so on. And all the other things that have been previously mentioned in the thread.

Belushi TD

[Micael]

So Hawass has some interesting aspects to him. In about the early 90’s, before he got into the position he has now, he was very open to even pretty controversial stuff such as the pyramids being much older than conventionally believed and all of that. Then at some point during the 90’s he did a seeming 180 in his beliefs and dismisses all of that, completely. My best guess is that he was instructed to do so by someone more powerful than him.

But that’s not the whole story on how he behaves now. In addition to the explanations given by the other members above in the thread, I think that there’s some other aspects to note. Everyone have to play by his rules. He decides if something is found or not, if something gets excavated or not. If something is actually presented as a real find/discovery (after he has decided that it is permissible), and the people behind has played real nice to him, they may get some credit even. But it is first and foremost Hawass himself that has to be portrayed as the great discoverer, as the person the gets the overall credit. If he thinks that you don’t want to play by those rules he is not interested in exploring a potential find. Perhaps in a few years when he then presents the find all by himself, and takes all credit. Then wants you to buy his books about it. There was an example some years ago when a team found a tunnel and seemingly announced it without Hawass being aboard, causing him to dismiss it as fantasy and idiocy and whatnot. Then a few years later when he thought that everyone had forgotten about it he opened up the tunnel and entered it himself and lauded himself on what a great discoverer he is.

So, if your find/exploration does not contradict any of his ”commandments” on anything ancient Egyptian, you agree with him that you’ll give him the bulk of the credit, you slip him a hefty sum under the table, and you present it with the data he approves and doesn’t present anything he disapproves of, you may get to discover something in Egypt. Congratulations!