Ancient Egypt

Hatshepsut (Fg. 3-11a)

The Great Pyramid of Egypt has presented an unexplained mystery from its very sight by the modern world. How were they built? A question that definitely extends beyond that of the Great Pyramid to several structures found world-wide. Egypt manages to tie the very question to the pyramids due to their monumental scale. The scope of such a project seems so inconceivable that our ancient ancestors would've accomplished such feats. Several theories have suggested plausible building methods that may have been used throughout Egyptian constructions, yet solid and conclusive evidence has not been discovered. Its believed the granite used for building was transported from 580 miles away using the Nile River including slabs weighing up to 80 tons found in the burial chamber.
Debates continue to this day trying to unravel the mystery behind the pyramids. It's widely understood that Egyptians built to please their kings and gods, and with honor during the process. What cannot be explained is why they decided to build with such magnitude and precision, unless of course, it was easy for them to do. Modern archeology and modern science has not discovered any such process proving that moving giant stone blocks was easy for the Egyptians, but that doesn't necessarily mean any such evidence does not exist.

Karnak at Luxor

Karnak (Fg. 3-11b)

Comparable to Angkor Wat in prominence and size, the Temple of Karnak at Luxor is currently believed to be the world's largest surviving religious structure. As kings were considered gods, they required an area given the same attention as other gods, and Karnak definitely fulfills this ideology. Gigantic pylons and statues adorn the temple symbolizing the Karnak's physical residence and needs, including an obelisk weighing 328 tons. Attention to interior lighting effects is evident throughout the temple, exemplifying the focus on fine details and craftsmanship. Most recently, a 3,500 year old door to the afterlife unearthed near the temple. Known as a false door that allows the deceased and his wife to interact with the world of the living. Karnak has been deemed one of the many god's mansions built for political and religious purposes.

Sphinx of Giza

Egyptian Sphinx (Fg. 3-11c)

The earliest known Sphinx sculpture was found at Gobekli Tepe dating to roughly 9,500 CE nearly 7,000 years before the gigantic version located at the Giza plateau. The Egyptian Sphinx is the world's largest known monolith statue and the oldest known monumental sculpture. Construction is theorized to have taken place around 2500 BCE during the reign of pharaoh Khafra. A distinct correlation between the Giza pyramids, Sphinx and Nile river is believed by archaeoastronomists to align with the constellations Leo, Orion and the Milky Way. Another mystery which has not been solved refers to the Sphinx's paw structure when GPR discovered a hollow area large enough to be a cache site. The area remains unexplored due to the water table and several theories have suggested invaluable items or a tomb might be hidden inside.