A Testable Hypothesis and Research Protocol for the Original Proportions of the Great Sphinx of Giza

⚠️ CRITICAL DISCLAIMER: This document is a hypothesis and research protocol, not a completed empirical study. No primary measurements have been collected by the author at the time of writing. The 2:1 ratio and ~120 ft height are hypotheses to be tested, not findings. This document is not peer-reviewed. Abstract:The Great Sphinx of Giza exhibits a pronounced dimensional disparity between its massive leonine body and its disproportionately small human head. Traditional Egyptology attributes the monument to the Fourth Dynasty (c. 2500 BCE), yet this chronology does not fully account for differential erosion patterns observed on the body and head. We propose a testable hypothesis that the original Sphinx (Sphinx 1) possessed a length-to-height ratio of approximately 2:1, implying a height of ~120 ft (36.6 m) given the current baseline length of 240 ft (73.2 m). This document presents: (i) the theoretical basis for the hypothesis, (ii) a detailed, reproducible protocol for testing it using calibrated photogrammetric measurement of the Dream Stele and Inventory Stele, (iii) a sensitivity-tested archaeoastronomical protocol for evaluating the 10,500 BCE Leo alignment, and (iv) explicit falsification criteria. We do not claim to have tested the hypothesis. We invite independent researchers to apply the protocol and report results. The hypothesis is offered in the spirit of open, falsifiable science.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Published
2026-10-17
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23435278
Primary Topic
Ancient Egypt and Archaeology
Type
preprint
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preprint

A Testable Hypothesis and Research Protocol for the Original Proportions of the Great Sphinx of Giza

M. Uditha Sandaruwan
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Ancient Egypt and Archaeology
preprint

A Testable Hypothesis and Research Protocol for the Original Proportions of the Great Sphinx of Giza

M. Uditha Sandaruwan
preprint en

Abstract

⚠️ CRITICAL DISCLAIMER: This document is a hypothesis and research protocol, not a completed empirical study. No primary measurements have been collected by the author at the time of writing. The 2:1 ratio and ~120 ft height are hypotheses to be tested, not findings. This document is not peer-reviewed. Abstract:The Great Sphinx of Giza exhibits a pronounced dimensional disparity between its massive leonine body and its disproportionately small human head. Traditional Egyptology attributes the monument to the Fourth Dynasty (c. 2500 BCE), yet this chronology does not fully account for differential erosion patterns observed on the body and head. We propose a testable hypothesis that the original Sphinx (Sphinx 1) possessed a length-to-height ratio of approximately 2:1, implying a height of ~120 ft (36.6 m) given the current baseline length of 240 ft (73.2 m). This document presents: (i) the theoretical basis for the hypothesis, (ii) a detailed, reproducible protocol for testing it using calibrated photogrammetric measurement of the Dream Stele and Inventory Stele, (iii) a sensitivity-tested archaeoastronomical protocol for evaluating the 10,500 BCE Leo alignment, and (iv) explicit falsification criteria. We do not claim to have tested the hypothesis. We invite independent researchers to apply the protocol and report results. The hypothesis is offered in the spirit of open, falsifiable science.

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Ancient Egypt and Archaeology
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