Dr. Robert M. Schoch, a pioneering geologist, geophysicist, and historian of ancient civilizations, has spent decades transforming our understanding of humanity’s origins by reexamining evidence that challenges the established timelines of history.
Dr. Schoch earned his Ph.D. in Geology and Geophysics from Yale University, where he developed a strong foundation in Earth sciences and their application to understanding ancient environments. Since 1984, he has been a faculty member of the College of General Studies at Boston University; he is currently the Director of the college’s Institute for the Study of the Origins of Civilization (ISOC).

Dr. Schoch gained international recognition in the early 1990s with his groundbreaking research on the Great Sphinx of Giza (initiated by the late John Anthony West). His analysis of weathering patterns, which indicated significant water erosion, and subsurface seismic studies (carried out with Dr. Thomas Dobecki) led him to conclude that the Sphinx predates the accepted timeline by thousands of years, with its origins (the head is a dynastic re-carving) dating back to a time of heavy rainfall experienced in the region at the end of the last Ice Age, circa 10,000 BCE. This controversial yet meticulously supported hypothesis has ignited decades of debate and inspired a new wave of inquiry into the ancient world.

Beyond the Sphinx, Dr. Schoch has explored enigmatic sites such as Göbekli Tepe in Turkey, an advanced archaeological complex dating to approximately 10,000 BCE. His studies of this site have reinforced the notion that sophisticated civilizations thrived long before the dawn of recorded history. Dr. Schoch is also a thought leader in the study of solar-induced catastrophes, proposing that solar outbursts and geomagnetic storms played key roles in the collapse of early civilizations and the initiation and termination of the Younger Dryas. His theories are articulated in his highly influential book, “Forgotten Civilization: New Discoveries on the Solar-Induced Dark Age” (2nd ed. 2021), in which he links geological and archaeological evidence to a broader narrative of cosmic influences on human history.

Making his second appearance at Cosmic Summit, Dr. Schoch’s multidisciplinary research aligns perfectly with the Cosmic Summit themes of lost civilizations, ancient technologies, and the role of cosmic forces in shaping Earth’s history. His revolutionary hypothesis regarding the Great Sphinx not only challenges conventional academic timelines but has inspired and influenced many of his fellow speakers. By drawing connections between geological data, ancient myths, and solar phenomena, Dr. Schoch provides a compelling narrative of humanity’s resilience and adaptability in the face of cosmic upheaval.

As one of the foremost voices in the study of humanity’s distant past, Dr. Robert Schoch offers a transformative lens through which to view Earth’s history and its connection to the cosmos. His presentation at Cosmic Summit 2025 will invite attendees to reconsider long-held assumptions and explore the profound mysteries of ancient civilizations, the forces that shaped them, and their enduring impact on our understanding of the human story.