A recently resurfaced declassified CIA document has sparked a fresh discussion across the internet, reigniting decades-old claims about hidden structures beneath the Great Sphinx of Giza. The document, which dates back to 1952, catalogs a photographic inventory that includes a specific reference to a "Temple under Sphinx." The re-emergence of theories which merge alternative history, psychic phenomena, and mainstream archaeology, leaving many to wonder what the photograph actually depicted and whether ancient secrets truly lie buried beneath the sands of Egypt.
The document in question, officially referenced as CIA-RDP83-00423R000100200001-7, is a routine CIA administrative form titled "Presentation Form for Graphic Material." It was used to catalog 11 rolls of 35mm black-and-white photographic negatives taken by a traveler in the Middle East and Afghanistan in 1950. Among routine entries such as "Tourist at Pyramids" and "Ruins near Sphinx" appears the intriguing line: "Temple under Sphinx; July '50." This simple caption has prompted discussion about possible hidden structures beneath the Great Sphinx, a topic long associated with legends of an underground repository of ancient knowledge.
The Hall of Records Connection
The phrasing "Temple under Sphinx" immediately evoked the prophecies of Edgar Cayce, the famous American psychic known as the "Sleeping Prophet." During his trance readings in the early 20th century, Cayce repeatedly spoke of a hidden chamber beneath the right paw of the Sphinx. He claimed this chamber housed the records of Atlantis, brought to Egypt by survivors of a great cataclysm. He predicted that this repository would be discovered between 1996 and 1998.
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Edgar Cayce, the "Sleeping Prophet," who predicted the Hall of Records would be found beneath the Sphinx. (Public Domain)
While the CIA document does not mention a "Hall of Records" or Edgar Cayce, the internet was quick to conflate the two. The document is simply a catalog of photographs, not a classified intelligence report on underground chambers. The caption "Temple under Sphinx" was likely a descriptive title given by the photographer to a specific ancient structure they visited in July 1950. But what temple were they referring to?
The Archaeological Reality of the Sphinx Temple
Mainstream archaeologists have long known about a temple located directly in front of the Sphinx, appropriately named the Sphinx Temple. This structure was built during the Old Kingdom, likely during the reign of Pharaoh Khafre around 2500 BC, using massive limestone blocks quarried from the Sphinx enclosure itself. Some of these blocks weigh up to 100 tons.
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The Great Sphinx of Giza, believed to have been built around 2500 BC during the reign of Pharaoh Khafre. (Alchemist-hp / CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)
The Sphinx Temple was completely buried in sand for millennia. It was not until the excavations led by French archaeologist and engineer Émile Baraize between 1925 and 1936 that the temple was fully cleared and restored. Given that the CIA photographic inventory dates to 1950, it is probable that the "Temple under Sphinx" refers to this newly accessible Sphinx Temple, which sits at a lower elevation than the surrounding plateau, directly "under" the gaze of the great monument.
Modern Scans and Ongoing Mysteries
While the 1952 CIA document may have a mundane explanation, the mystery of what lies beneath Giza endures. The legend has persisted, fueled in part by physical anomalies detected during scientific surveys. In the 1990s, seismologist Dr. Thomas Dobecki conducted seismic surveys near the Sphinx and found what appeared to be rectangular cavities beneath its paws. More recently, Italian and Scottish researchers using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) claimed to have discovered a vast underground complex and even a second Sphinx beneath the plateau, though these claims face intense scientific scrutiny.
The Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities has consistently denied permission for excavation of these anomalies, citing the need to protect the monument from damage. Whether the "Temple under Sphinx" notation points to the known Old Kingdom structure, a mislabeled photograph, or something more significant, it highlights the enduring fascination with Egypt's ancient monuments. The intersection of archival documents, psychic prophecies, and modern archaeology ensures that the sands of Giza will continue to hold our collective fascination for generations to come.
Top image: The resurfaced CIA document with descriptions from 1952 that mentions a temple under the Sphinx. Source: CIA release
By Gary Manners
References
CIA. 1952. Presentation Form for Graphic Material (CIA-RDP83-00423R000100200001-7). Central Intelligence Agency FOIA Reading Room. Available at: https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/document/cia-rdp83-00423r000100200001-7
Hadingham, E. 2010. Uncovering Secrets of the Sphinx. Smithsonian Magazine. Available at: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/uncovering-secrets-of-the-sphinx-5053442/
MSN / Daily Mail. 2026. Hall of Records theories explode as CIA doc mentioning 'temple under Sphinx' found. Available at: Hall of Records theories explode as CIA doc mentioning 'temple under Sphinx' found | Daily Mail Online
