Story: Great Sphinx of Giza
Episode: 2
Presenter: Trevor Cochrane
Air Date: 7 March 2026

The Great Sphinx of Giza is a colossal lion-bodied guardian carved from a single limestone ridge, shrouded in mystery and central to the Giza Plateau’s symbolism.

• Often associated with Pharaoh Khafre, the Sphinx combines a pharaoh’s face with a lion’s body, expressing royal authority, protection and divine association.
• Its placement is deliberate: the Sphinx faces due east, aligning with sunrise at the spring equinox and reinforcing ancient ideas of rebirth and renewal.
• Despite extensive study, the Sphinx’s original name and primary purpose remain uncertain, fueling ongoing debates about age, meaning and function.
• Preservation has been undertaken for more than a century, with major efforts focused on erosion control around vulnerable areas such as the head and neck.
• The missing nose remains one of its most famous mysteries, with historical accounts suggesting deliberate damage in the 14th century rather than Napoleonic cannon fire.

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