Here’s a breakdown of the main points:
Facial Analysis:
West and Domingo applied forensic-style analysis—similar to methods used in reconstructive surgery or orthodontics—on the face of the Sphinx. They found signs of bimaxillary prognathism (a forward projection of both the upper and lower jaw), which they claim is more common among people of Black African descent.
Challenge to Traditional Attribution:
The Sphinx is commonly believed to bear the likeness of Pharaoh Khafre (reigned c. 2558–2532 BCE), builder of the second-largest pyramid at Giza. However, the authors argue that the facial features of the Sphinx differ from known statues of Khafre.
Implications for Egyptian History:
If their findings are correct, this could suggest that the Sphinx predates Khafre and was built during a period when Black Africans were dominant in the Nile Valley—supporting theories that early dynastic or pre-dynastic Egypt had significant Black African cultural and genetic roots.
Controversial and Debated:
This idea has been highly controversial. Mainstream Egyptologists generally reject the hypothesis, citing lack of definitive archaeological or textual evidence. Critics argue that weathering, erosion, and artistic conventions make definitive facial identification speculative.
Would you like a summary, critique, or a follow-up on how this debate has evolved in scholarship since then?