ANCIENT INQUIRY
AT-1786

Serpent in the Sky

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AT-1786
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AT-1786
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AT-1786

John Anthony West

Why Ancient Inquiry uses this citation here

Catalogue record for West's 1979 primary claimant book and its Schwaller de Lubicz subject relationship; establishes publication genealogy, not the archaeological accuracy of symbolic Egyptology.

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John Anthony West

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Supporting citation for public claim

West promoted the claim that Sphinx weathering implied a pre-dynastic monument and older civilization, but the listed archaeological and geoarchaeological sources do not establish either conclusion.

The physical monument and weathering are real, and the claim has a serious geological advocate in Schoch. But the stronger date and civilization conclusions do not overcome archaeological and geological objections.
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West helped popularize older-Sphinx claims, while the listed archaeological and geoarchaeological sources do not support the extreme redating.

Answer / theory: No. He helped popularize the claim and brought in Schoch's geological support, but mainstream Egyptology rejects the extreme redating. What supports it: The Sphinx enclosure has weathering features that prompted debate. What is weak or disputed: The weathering does not clearly require a pre-dynastic date. Evidence level: Weak to Mixed Evidence.
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He was an author and alternative Egyptology figure, not a conventional academic Egyptologist.

Answer / theory: He was an author and alternative Egyptology figure, not a conventional academic Egyptologist. What supports it: His career and influence came through books, lectures, tours, and media, not university Egyptology. What is weak or disputed: His nonacademic status does not automatically make every claim wrong, but it affects source weighting. Evidence level: Strong Evidence.
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