Curiosmos
  • Home
  • Unsolved Mysteries
  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Cosmic Phenomena
  • Alien Theories
  • Curious Lists
No Result
View All Result
Like us on Facebook
Curiosmos
  • Home
  • Unsolved Mysteries
  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Cosmic Phenomena
  • Alien Theories
  • Curious Lists
No Result
View All Result
Curiosmos
No Result
View All Result

Here Are 10 Extremely Old Images of the Sphinx You’ve Probably Never Seen

Ivan PetricevicbyIvan Petricevic
December 30, 2022 - Updated on January 18, 2024
in Ancient Civilizations
Image of the Sphinx before it was completely excavated. Early 19th century.

Image of the Sphinx before it was completely excavated. Early 19th century.

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

This majestic structure is one of the most mysterious monuments on Earth. It has no inscriptions, and there are said to be tunnels and passages leading below it. The images displayed here were taken before most of the restorations of the Sphinx. The images are extremely rare and old.


Scholars have no idea who erected this majestic monument only adds to the mystery of the Great Sphinx, which has already been the center for countless speculations connecting it to lost civilizations and extraterrestrial beings. This ancient statue is one of the most appreciated monuments, as mysterious as beautiful. Archaeologically speaking, it is one of the most enigmatic monuments ever found since scholars have absolutely no idea who built it and its original purpose.

At 241 feet long and 66 feet high, the monument is the largest monolith statue on the planet’s surface. The Great Sphinx is believed to have been discovered in AD 1817, when the first modern archaeological dig, led by Giovanni Battista Caviglia, managed to uncover the monument’s chest completely. This marvelous ancient architecture piece remains one of the few ancient pieces of work that nobody bothered to take credit for. Mainstream scholars have been perplexed by its mysterious history for years.

Astronomically aligned?

Many researchers consider the Sphinx to be an astronomically aligned monument. Geological findings indicate that the Sphinx may have been sculpted sometime before 10,000 BC, which coincides with the Age of Leo, or the Lion, which lasted from 10,970 to 8810 BC. According to Graham Hancock, computer simulations show that in 10,500 BC, the constellation of Leo housed the sun on the spring equinox. I.e., an hour before dawn in that epoch, Leo would have reclined due east along the horizon in the place where the sun would soon rise. With its due-east orientation, this means that the lion-bodied monument would have gazed directly on that morning at the one constellation in the sky that might reasonably be regarded as its own celestial counterpart.

Related Posts

The Pyramids at Giza at sunset. Shutterstock.

5 Reasons Why We Still Don’t Know the True Purpose of the Pyramids

August 13, 2019 - Updated on March 8, 2023
potter's wheel

Ancient Gadgets: The Instruments that Shaped Humanity

April 19, 2021 - Updated on January 21, 2024

Antique images

Today there are countless images of the Great Sphinx of Giza, and nearly all of them show it as it is today, nearly completely restored to its full glory. However, the most interesting images of the ancient monument are those taken after its discovery. While many people are unaware of this, numerous antique images of the Sphinx show this incredible ancient monument as it looked before its restorations in modern times. The images depict numerous cavities, entrances, and what appear to be tunnels that, according to many, lead below this majestic ancient monument.

10 Rare Images of the Sphinx

This is a rare image of the Sphinx taken from a hot air balloon, in the early 19th century. This is before excavation and restoration.
This is a rare image of the Sphinx taken from a hot air balloon in the early 19th century. This is before excavation and restoration.
The Great Sphinx of Giza before it was entirely excavated.
The Great Sphinx of Giza before it was entirely excavated.
Ancient Code Pyramids and Sphinx Giza Egypt 1860. Image Credit: Photographium Historic Photo Archive
Ancient Code Pyramids and Sphinx Giza Egypt 1860. Image Credit: Photographium Historical Photo Archive
Profile view of Sphinx Giza Egypt 1900-1920. Image Credit: Photographium Historic Photo Archive
Profile view of Sphinx Giza Egypt 1900-1920. Image Credit: Photographium Historical Photo Archive
Sphinx in late 1800s. Image Credit: Photographium Historic Photo Archive
Sphinx in late 1800s. Credit: Photographium Historical Photo Archive

"British

The Sphinx Giza Egypt circa 1850. Image Credit Unknown
The Sphinx Giza Egypt circa 1850. Image Credit Unknown
One of the oldest photos of the Great Sphinx from 1880. Image Credit Unknown
One of the oldest photos of the Great Sphinx from 1880. Image Credit Unknown
This is a rare image of the Sphinx shows the surface of the head of the Sphinx. The images was taken in 1925. Image Credit Unknown
This is a rare image of the Sphinx shows the surface of the head of the Sphinx. The images was taken in 1925. Image Credit Unknown
The Sphinx prior to being excavated.
The Sphinx before being excavated.

Have something to add? Visit Curiosmos on Facebook. Join the discussion in our mobile Telegram group. Also, follow us on Google News

Share15086Tweet98Share27ShareSend
Ivan Petricevic

Ivan Petricevic

I've been writing passionately about ancient civilizations, history, alien life, and various other subjects for more than eight years. You may have seen me appear on Discovery Channel's What On Earth series, History Channel's Ancient Aliens, and Gaia's Ancient Civilizations among others.

Related Posts

Umnak Island. Landsat caught a rare glimpse of the third-largest Aleutian Island. Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory images by Joshua Stevens, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey.
Ancient Civilizations

How the Eruption of a Volcano in Alaska is Linked to the Demise of Ancient Rome

June 23, 2020 - Updated on January 21, 2024
A lateral view of the Great Sphinx. Shutterstock.
Ancient Civilizations

Here Are 10 Secrets and Curiosities About the Great Sphinx of Egypt

December 18, 2022 - Updated on January 20, 2024
A rare photograph of the monolith of Tlaloc
Ancient Civilizations

The Monolith of Tlaloc: Unraveling the Mysteries of One of Mesoamerica’s Most Enigmatic Treasures

April 1, 2023
Ancient Civilizations

Modern-day Africans Conserve DNA from Unknown Extinct Human Species

April 27, 2019 - Updated on January 22, 2024
An artists rendering of a statue of an ancient civilization. Shutterstock.
Ancient Civilizations

Did lost civilizations before history vanish in a forgotten global disaster?

April 23, 2025
Could There Have Been a Civilization Before the Ice Age?
Ancient Civilizations

Could There Have Been a Civilization Before the Ice Age?

June 6, 2025
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Fair Use Notice
  • DMCA / Removal
  • Impressum
  • Contact
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Ethics Policy
  • Ownership and Funding Information
  • Impressum
CURIOSMOS.COM

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Unsolved Mysteries
  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Cosmic Phenomena
  • Alien Theories
  • Curious Lists