Historical photos reveal sand mound formed in 1930 from excavation debris. 1929 aerial photograph shows The Great Pyramid of Giza without the current sand mound The mound appears in a 1930 photograph and has remained since Excavators in the 1920s-30s used metal railway tracks to transport debris
Aerial photos from 1929 show Giza without the large sand mound visible today, which appears in 1930 photos and persists since. During 1920s-30s excavations, workers used metal railway tracks to move debris, strategically dumping sand into large heaps. This explains why virtually all Giza structures were buried under accumulated sand—including the Great Sphinx, which was completely covered up to its neck before excavations began in 1817.
Key Facts
- 1929 aerial photograph shows The Great Pyramid of Giza without the current sand mound
- The mound appears in a 1930 photograph and has remained since
- Excavators in the 1920s-30s used metal railway tracks to transport debris
- Sand was strategically dumped into large heaps during excavations
- Virtually all Giza structures were excavated from accumulated sand over centuries
- The Great Sphinx was completely buried up to its neck in sand until excavations began in 1817
Related site: Giza Necropolis — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: New Scan Finds SECOND SPHINX BURIED at Giza Pyramids! by Bright Insight