The Dream Stela, erected by Thutmose IV during the 18th Dynasty (~1401–1391 BCE), adds a layer of mystery to the origins of the Great Sphinx and its supposed contemporaneity with Khufu and the 4th Dynasty.

The stela sits between the Sphinx’s paws and recounts how Thutmose, as a prince, fell asleep in its shadow and dreamed that the god embodied by the Sphinx promised him kingship if he cleared away the sand engulfing the statue. This account suggests that by the time of Thutmose IV—approximately 1,000 years after the 4th Dynasty—the Sphinx was already partially buried and had fallen into neglect. This raises significant questions about its true age and purpose.

If the Sphinx were contemporaneous with Khufu or Khafre, why was such a monumental and symbolic structure abandoned and forgotten within a millennium? Dynastic Egyptians were known for revering and maintaining their sacred sites, yet the Dream Stela implies a loss of connection or understanding of the Sphinx’s origins. Furthermore, the Sphinx has no inscriptions definitively linking it to Khafre, despite being attributed to him due to its proximity to his pyramid complex. This lack of direct evidence contrasts sharply with the inscriptions and records tying other monuments to their builders. The erosion patterns on the Sphinx’s body—distinctly different from its head—suggest extensive weathering, possibly from heavy rainfall predating the arid climate of the 4th Dynasty.

These inconsistencies undermine the claim that the Sphinx was built contemporaneously with Khufu or Khafre, opening the possibility that it is far older, perhaps a remnant of a forgotten or pre-dynastic civilization later adopted and restored by the Egyptians. The Dream Stela, rather than reinforcing the mainstream narrative, subtly underscores the enigmatic and potentially ancient origins of this iconic monument.