This amazing sculpture can be seen from afar - it attracts the eye with its power and raises many questions. The Great Sphinx is still one of the most mysterious and ancient statues, its height exceeds 20 meters and its width reaches 57 meters. It is surprising that the sands of the desert in the 17th century BC swallowed the Sphinx and for several centuries this sculpture disappeared. Only in the 5th century BC Thutmose ordered it to be excavated. The last excavations were carried out by the Egyptian Service of Antiquities in 1925.
Where is the Great Sphinx sculpture?
The Sphinx or Great Sphinx of Giza is the oldest surviving monumental sculpture on Earth, located on the west bank of the Nile River in Giza near modern Cairo.
What is the Great Sphinx famous for?
Monumental sculpture is one of the oldest surviving monuments on Earth. It is a sculpture carved from a monolithic limestone rock depicting a sphinx having the body of a lion with the head of a man, traditionally considered to be a portrait of a pharaoh. It lies on the sand and still fascinates with its strength and beauty.
The creators attached great importance to astrology, in particular, the positions of the Sun in the Zodiac: Taurus, Scorpio, Leo and Aquarius. Embodying in the sculpture of the Sphinx the collective image of the pharaoh, Imhotep, the gods Babian and Horus, its creators sought to convey both beauty and sacred meaning. That is why the Sphinx got the name "Living Image".
Age of the Great Sphinx
According to various sources, the date of creation of the Great Sphinx is still a matter of debate. Some scholars believe that the statue is 200,000 years old, while others believe that its construction began 44,000 BC and was completed 1,200 years later. Many experts who study the age of the giant sculpture focus on erosion processes in limestone. Boston University geology professor Dr. R. Schoch believes that the age of the Sphinx is about 5000-6000 years BC due to the fact that during this period there were rains in the territory of Egypt, which greatly affected the erosion of the rock.
What happened to the Cphinx's nose?
Unfortunately, the figure has not been preserved in its original form due to the influence of time and some barbaric acts of people. The face of the sculpture was mutilated in the 14th century by one of the sheikhs, who wanted to follow the commandments of Muhammad, which prohibits the depiction of human faces. Therefore, the head of the Sphinx was used as a target for Mamluk training.
What was the Great Sphinx built for?
Pharaohs of Egypt were often depicted in the image of a terrible lion, which does not spare any enemies. Therefore, it is believed that the Sphinx guards the world of the late pharaohs. Although the author of this sculpture is unknown, many researchers assume that it is the creation of Khafre.
Currently, the area in Egypt, where the majestic structure is located, has become a popular place for excursions. The monumental creation evokes both fear and surprise among tourists.
If you are interested in the history of Egypt and want to learn more, you should visit the Abdin Palace, which is now a museum complex. There you will be able to get acquainted not only with the history of Egypt, but also with other interesting facts.
