<HTML>Lets face it for some reason JAW has got a bad press. So much so that when someone on this board referred to JAW a post was made referring JAW and the dictionary definition of "demagogue". This attracted no attention which surprised me and made me think what is wrong the bloke?
Answer- nothing.
I read Serpents in the Sky about six months ago and it is not the easiest book in the world to read to be honest. Nevertheless I found it interesting.
The book finishes off brilliantly however from pages 184-242 where he just deals with the Sphinx question. I think its an excellent and well argued presentation dealing with all aspects relevent to the debate. I would ask any fair-minded person to read these pages and see anything other than an examination of the issues - no more no less.
Look at the sub-divisions tackled:
The orthodox view
Chronological accounts.
Suggestions
A question of style.
The riddle of the face.
Cephren; non-builder of the Sphinx.
Chemical weathering.
Erosion damage to other monuments
The Sphinx and the sand.
The evidence.
etc.etc.
This displays a well argued, open-minded approach.
Compare that to some of the posts on the debate over the last two weeks which are not as open-minded.
We've been treated to an academic argument as to whether geology is a precise science, definitions of definitions, simplistic scientism, sophistication, discussions as to sub-divisions of archaeology, archaeology triumphing over geology etc.etc.
One suggestion was to have a load of geologists get together at the Sphinx to sort it out but this was dismissed as erroneous.
You see JAW is a non-expert in egyptology but this ain't a weakness its a strength. As proof of this I offer one unarguable fact. He introduced the brilliant Dr Robert Schoch to the debate and I'M sure we all agree this in itself is worthy of all our admiration. Thanks JAW.
Let me finish with this if I may. Someone here said the archaeology is clear- cut and makes the Sphinx 4th dynasty. In fact the opposite. The archaeology is dodgy and circumstancial at best. The geology is clear-cut and points to rain. When did it rain? Before Khafre anyway!</HTML>
