Architect of Burj Khalifa Adrian Smith visits Great Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx

CAIRO – 28 April 2022: On April 27, Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass met the acclaimed architect Adrian Smith, who designed the Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world, during his visit to Egypt to implement major projects in the New Administrative Capital.

During the visit - Min. of Tourism & Antiquities

During the visit -  Min. of Tourism & Antiquities

Hawass accompanied Smith on a tour at the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx. Hawass explained how the Great Pyramids were built and spoke about the ancient Egyptian architects of the Great Pyramids. Hawass added that the most important discovery in the 21st century is the discovery of Wadi al-Jarf Papyrus [Diary of Merer], which relays many secrets about building the Pyramid of Cheops [Khufu].

During the visit - Min. of Tourism & Antiquities

Also, Hawass explained that the Sphinx is a solid rock, and that the statue of the Sphinx belongs to King Khafre, the founder of the second pyramid. He also referred to the discovery of the tombs of the workers who built the Great Pyramids, pointing out that the allegations that claim that there is a lost city under the Sphinx are baseless. “We have pictures of the excavation that took place under the Sphinx, showing that the Sphinx is a solid rock with no passages below,” stressed Hawass.

Hawass also revealed that the Dream Stele dates back to the era of King Thutmose IV. The story of the dream recorded on the Dream Stele in hieroglyphic script narrates the details of Prince Thutmose's visit to the Great Pyramids Area, before assuming the throne of Egypt.

It should be noted that Hawass met Adrian Smith before in 1981 with 80 Chicago architects.