The Sphinx enclosure was apparently used as a quarry, with blocks removed to build the Sphinx temple. Quarry walls display characteristic clints (protruding blocks) and grikes (fissures between them) — a pattern from limestone dissolution by water along joints. Critically, Old Kingdom quarry walls elsewhere retain stone pick marks, but Sphinx walls do not. The erosion depth suggests long exposure time inconsistent with the official New Kingdom chronology, with environmental penetration noticeably deeper in front of the Sphinx than behind it.
Sphinx quarry walls show clint and grike water erosion patterns
EgyptTheory
Key facts
- Sphinx enclosure was used as a quarry; blocks built the Sphinx temple
- Quarry walls show several feet of erosion vs minutes on freshly quarried faces
- Erosion patterns show clints (protruding blocks) and grikes (fissures between)
- This pattern is characteristic of limestone dissolution by water along joints
- Old Kingdom quarry walls retain stone pick marks; Sphinx walls do not
- Erosion depth suggests long exposure time inconsistent with official chronology
- Environmental penetration deeper in front of Sphinx than in back
Site mentioned
Sources
randallcarlson.com
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