An Egyptian Documents a Rare Angle of the Sphinx That Most Visitors to Giza Do Not See

- With its majestic appearance and unique location at the Giza Plateau in Egypt, the Sphinx has stood for thousands of years as one of the most famous symbols of ancient Egyptian civilization, as if it silently and majestically guards the eternal Pyramids of Giza. Despite its global fame, many do not know that beneath the feet of this legendary statue lies a rare artifact that carries an intriguing story, known as the "Dream Stele."

During his recent visit to the pyramids, which have recently undergone new developments to enhance the visitor experience, Egyptian content creator Hamid Al-Rahman Muhammad, known on Instagram as "Ahmed Al-Masri," shared a video from in front of the "Dream Stele" located between the front legs of the Sphinx. Accessing this area is an exceptional experience, as it requires a special permit, granting a different awe to the scene and a rare opportunity to see the Sphinx from an angle not usually available to visitors.

For thousands of years, the Sphinx has captivated the imagination of travelers and explorers, even in ancient Egyptian times. During the Eighteenth Dynasty (around 1550-1295 BC), it was viewed as the embodiment of the sun god "Horus in the Horizon," according to the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

King Amenhotep II (around 1427-1400 BC) built a temple next to the Sphinx dedicated to this god, while his son Thutmose IV (around 1400-1390 BC) later constructed a massive stele between the front legs of the statue to document a story that completely changed its fate. The inscriptions on this granite stele recount a dream that Prince Thutmose IV had before ascending the throne.

According to the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, "The Great Sphinx appeared to him (Thutmose IV) in the dream in the form of the sun god Horus in the Horizon, addressing him as his son, and complaining that the desert sands were burying his body." The inscriptions add that the Sphinx promised the young prince that "if he freed him from his sandy prison, he would serve as his guide and promised him the kingship of Egypt," leading Thutmose IV to wake up and order the removal of the sands and to offer sacrifices to the statue.

The Egyptian content creator says in an interview with Afaq News in Arabic that he was able to enter this area through a "special permit" organized by the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority as part of a promotional campaign to showcase Egypt's unique sites, explaining that this opportunity allowed him to see the Sphinx from an angle that is not usually available to most visitors. The Egyptian clarifies that standing in front of the "Dream Stele" was an experience that is hard to describe, especially since seeing these details up close is extremely rare.

He adds: "This place allows the visitor to see the Sphinx like never before, and the level of detail makes me feel proud that my ancestors were the ones who built and carved this eternal legend." The Egyptian content creator believes that the "Dream Stele" is one of the most interesting historical elements at the site, as it embodies the legend associated with Thutmose IV's ascension to the throne, even though he was not the closest to inherit the crown.

He points out that this experience not only gives the visitor a chance to see a rare historical artifact up close but also instills a sense of pride in the ancient Egyptians' ability to build a civilization that continues to amaze the world to this day.