John Anthony West (1932-2018) was an American author, researcher, and independent Egyptologist known for his alternative theories about ancient Egypt, particularly the age and origins of the Sphinx of Giza. His work challenged conventional Egyptological assumptions and sparked significant debate in both academic and public circles.
Born on July 9, 1932, West’s interest in Egyptology was influenced by the work of R.A. Schwaller de Lubicz, a French philosopher and mathematician who proposed that the ancient Egyptians possessed advanced spiritual and metaphysical knowledge. West’s most famous and controversial work revolves around the Sphinx of Giza. In collaboration with geologist Dr. Robert M. Schoch, West proposed that the weathering patterns on the Sphinx suggested it was much older than traditionally believed, dating back to at least 7000 BC, if not earlier. This theory contradicts the conventional Egyptological dating of the Sphinx to the reign of Pharaoh Khafre around 2500 BC.
West and Schoch’s hypothesis was based on geological and climatological studies, arguing that the erosion patterns on the Sphinx and surrounding enclosure were caused by prolonged water erosion, rather than wind and sand, indicating a time when the climate in the Giza region was much wetter than it has been since 2500 BC. This theory suggests that a more advanced civilization than previously acknowledged existed in Egypt prior to the Dynastic period.
West’s work gained public attention through his book “Serpent in the Sky: The High Wisdom of Ancient Egypt” and the Emmy award-winning documentary “The Mystery of the Sphinx,” which he produced with Charlton Heston as the narrator. These works presented his alternative theories on Egyptology to a broader audience.