The Great Pyramids of Giza (Egyptian Pyramids) and the Great Sphinx are a legacy of the Old Kingdom. Sphinx in Egypt: secrets, riddles and scientific facts

Let's try to understand the purpose of its creation and the methods of its construction. Let's find out what they say in the scientific world about the age of the Sphinx. What does it hide inside and what role does it play in relation to the pyramids? Let's weed out fiction and assumptions, leaving only scientifically proven facts.

Brief description of the Sphinx in Egypt

Sphinx and 50 jets

The Sphinx in Egypt is the largest surviving sculpture of antiquity. The length of the body is 3 compartment cars (73.5 m), and the height is a 6-story building (20 m). The bus is smaller than one front paw. And the weight of 50 jet airliners is equal to the weight of a giant.

The blocks from which the paws are made were added during the New Kingdom period to restore the original appearance. The sacred Cobra, nose and ritual beard - symbols of the power of the pharaohs - are missing. Fragments of the latter are on display in the British Museum.

Remnants of the original dark red paint can be seen near the ear.

What could the strange proportions mean?

One of the main abnormalities of the figure is the disproportion of the head and torso. It appears that the upper part was rebuilt several times by subsequent rulers. There are opinions that at first the head of the idol was either a ram or a falcon and later turned into a human form. Restorations and renovations over many thousands of years could have reduced the head or enlarged the torso.

Where is the Sphinx?

The monument is located in the necropolis of Memphis next to the pyramidal structures of Khufu (Cheops), Khafre (Chephren) and Menkaure (Mycerinus) about 10 km from Cairo, on the western bank of the Nile River on the Giza Plateau.

God in reverse or what the giant symbolizes

In Ancient Egypt, the figure of the Lion personified the power of the pharaohs. In Abydos, the cemetery of the first Egyptian kings, archaeologists discovered about 30 skeletons of adults who were under 20 years old, and... the bones of lions. The gods of the ancient Egyptians were always depicted with the body of a man and the head of an animal, but here it’s the other way around: a man’s head the size of a house on the body of a lion.

Maybe this suggests that the power and strength of the lion combined with human wisdom and the ability to control this power? But to whom did this strength and wisdom belong? Whose facial features are carved in stone?

Unraveling the secret of construction: interesting facts

The world's leading Egyptologist Mark Lehner spent 5 years next to the mysterious creature, studying him, the materials and rock around him. He compiled a detailed map of the statue and came to a clear conclusion: the statue was carved from limestone, which lies at the base of the Giza plateau.

First, they hollowed out a trench in the shape of a horseshoe, leaving a huge block in the center. And then the sculptors carved a monument out of it. Blocks weighing up to 100 tons for the construction of the walls of the temple in front of the Sphinx were taken from here.

But this is only part of the solution. The other is how exactly did they do it?

Together with Rick Brown, an expert on ancient tools, Mark reproduced the tools depicted in tomb drawings that were over 4,000 years old. These were copper chisels, a two-handed pestle and a hammer. Then, with these tools, they cut out a detail of the monument from the limestone block: the missing nose.

This experiment made it possible to calculate that they could have worked on creating the mysterious figure one hundred sculptors in three years. At the same time, they were accompanied by a whole army of workers who created tools, hauled away rock and did other necessary work.

Who broke the colossus' nose?

When Napoleon arrived in Egypt in 1798, he saw a mysterious monster without a nose, which is proven by drawings of the 18th century: the face was like this long before the arrival of the French. Although one may come across the opinion that the nose was recaptured by the French military.

There are other versions. For example, it is called the shooting of Turkish (according to other sources - English) soldiers, whose target was the face of an idol. Or there is a story about a fanatical Sufi monk in the 8th century AD who mutilated a “blasphemous idol” with a chisel.

Fragments of the ritual beard of the Egyptian Sphinx. British Museum, Photo from EgyptArchive

Indeed, there are traces of wedges driven into the bridge of the nose and near the nostril. It looks like someone hammered them in on purpose to break off the part.

Prophetic dream of the prince at the Sphinx

The monument was saved from complete destruction by the sands that covered it for millennia. Attempts to restore the colossus have been made since Thutmose IV. There is a legend that while hunting, resting in the midday shade of a structure, the king’s son fell asleep and had a dream. The giant deity promised him the crown of the Upper and Lower Kingdoms and in return asked him to free him from the consuming desert. The granite Dream Stele, installed between the paws, preserves this history.

Drawing of the Great Sphinx 1737 Hood. Frederic Norden

The prince not only dug up the deity, but also surrounded it with a high stone wall. At the end of 2010, Egyptian archaeologists excavated sections of the brick wall, which stretched 132 m around the monument. Scientists believe that this is the work of Thutmose IV, who wants to protect the statue from drifts.

The story of the grief-restoration of the Sphinx in Giza

Despite the efforts, the structure was filled up again. In 1858, part of the sand was cleared by Auguste Mariette, founder of the Egyptian Antiquities Service. And in the period from 1925 to 1936. French engineer Emile Barais completed the clearing completely. Perhaps for the first time, the divine beast was once again exposed to the elements.

It is also clear that the statue is being destroyed by wind, humidity and exhaust fumes from Cairo. Realizing this, the authorities are trying to preserve the ancient monument. In the last century, in 1950, a huge and expensive restoration and conservation project was started.

But at the initial stage of work, instead of benefit, only additional damage was caused. The cement used for repairs, as it turned out later, was incompatible with limestone. Over 6 years, more than 2000 limestone blocks were added to the structure, chemical treatment was carried out, but... this did not bring a positive result.

How M. Lehner guessed who the Great Sphinx of Egypt depicts

Excavations of the Temple of Khafre (foreground).
The Kheop Pyramid is in the background.
Photograph by Henri Bechard, 1887

The tombs of the pharaohs change their shape and size over time. And appear. And the Great Sphinx is the only one.

A significant number of Egyptologists believe that he represents Pharaoh Khafre (Hawr) from the fourth dynasty, because. a similar small stone silhouette with his face was found nearby. The sizes of the blocks of Khafre's tomb (circa 2540 BC) and the monster also match. Despite their claims, no one knows for sure when and by whom this statue was installed in Giza.

Mark Lehner found the answer to this question. He studied the structure of the Sphinx Temple, which is located 9 meters away. On the days of the spring and autumn equinox, the sun at sunset connects the two sanctuaries of the temple and the pyramid of Khafre with one line.

The religion of the ancient Egyptian kingdom was based on the worship of the Sun. Local residents worshiped the idol as an incarnation of the Sun God, calling it Khor-Em-Akhet. Comparing these facts, Mark determines the original purpose of the Sphinx and his identity: Khafre's face the son of Cheops, looks from the figure of a god who protects the pharaoh's journey to the afterlife, making it safe.

In 1996, a New York detective and identification expert revealed that the resemblance was more noticeable to Khafre's older brother Djedefre (or son, according to other sources). The debate on this topic is still ongoing.

How old is the giant anyway? Writer vs. Scientists

Explorer John Anthony West

There is now a lively debate about the dating of the monument. Writer John Anthony West was the first to notice marks on the lion's body. one erosion. Other structures on the plateau show wind or sand erosion. He contacted geologist and associate professor at Boston University Robert M. Schoch, who, after studying the materials, agreed with West's conclusions. In 1993, their joint work “The Secret of the Sphinx” was presented, which received an Emmy Award for Best Research and a nomination for Best Documentary.

Although today this area is arid, about 10,000 years ago the climate there was humid and rainy. West and Schoch concluded that for the observed effects of water erosion to occur, the age of the Sphinx must be from 7000 to 10,000 years.

Scientists have rejected Schoch's theory as wildly flawed, pointing out that the once common violent rain storms across Egypt had ceased before the sculpture's appearance. But the question remains: why was it only this Giza structure that showed signs of water damage?

Spiritual and supernatural interpretations about the purpose of the Sphinx

The famous English journalist Paul Brunton spent a lot of time traveling in Eastern countries, lived with monks and mystics, and studied the history and religion of Ancient Egypt. He explored royal tombs and met famous fakirs and hypnotists.

His favorite symbol of the country, a mysterious giant, told him its secrets during a night spent in the Great Pyramid. The book “In Search of Mystical Egypt” tells how one day the secret of all things was revealed to him.

American mystic and prophet Edgar Cayce is confident in the theory that can be read in his book about Atlantis. He pointed out that the secret knowledge of the Atlanteans was kept next to the Sphinx.

Sketch by Vivant Duvon from 1798. Shows a man emerging from a hole in the top.

Writer Robert Bauval published an article in 1989 that the three pyramids at Giza, relative to the Nile, formed a kind of three-dimensional "hologram" on the ground of the three stars of Orion's belt and the Milky Way. He developed a complex theory that all the structures of a given area, together with the ancient Scriptures, constitute an astronomical map.

The most suitable position of the stars in the sky for this interpretation was in 10500 BC. BC. This date is understandably disputed by Egyptologists, since not a single archaeological artifact dating from these years has been excavated here.

New riddles of the Sphinx in Egypt?

There are various legends about secret passages associated with this artifact. Research by the University of Florida and Boston University, as well as Waseda University in Japan, revealed various anomalies around the figure. Although, it is possible that these are natural features.

In 1995, workers renovating a nearby parking lot came across a series of tunnels and paths, two of which plunge underground not far from the stone body of the man-beast. R. Bauval is convinced that these structures are the same age.

Between 1991 and 1993, while studying damage to the monument using a seismograph, Anthony West's team discovered regular-shaped hollow spaces or chambers located at a depth of several meters between the forelimbs and on either side of the mysterious image. But permission for a deeper study was not received. The mystery of the underground rooms has not yet been solved.

The Sphinx in Egypt continues to excite inquiring minds. There are many conjectures and assumptions surrounding the most ancient monument on our planet. Will we ever find out who and why left this mark on Earth?

It is interesting to know your opinion, write it in the comments.
Please rate this article by selecting the desired number of stars below.
Share with your friends on social networks to discuss the secrets and riddles of the Sphinx of Egypt when you meet.
Read more interesting materials on the Zen channel

The Great Sphinx, standing on the plateau at Giza, is a subject of debate among scientists, the object of numerous legends, assumptions and speculation. Who built it, when, why? There is no definite answer to any question. Blown by the sands of time, the Sphinx has kept its secret for many millennia.

It is carved from solid limestone rock. It is believed that she stood nearby and with her shape already resembled a sleeping lion. The length of the Sphinx is 72 meters, height - 20. The nose, which has been missing for a long time, was one and a half meters long.

Today the statue represents a lion lying in the sand, but some historians suggest that initially the sculpture was entirely of a lion, and one of the pharaohs decided to depict his face on the statue. Hence some disproportions between the huge body and the relatively small head. But this version is just a guess.

There are no papers at all preserved about the Sphinx. Ancient Egyptian papyri telling about the construction of the pyramids have survived. But there is not a single word about the lion statue. The first mentions in papyri can be found only at the beginning of our era. Where it is said that the Sphinx was once cleared of sand.

Purpose

Most scientists agree that the Sphinx guards the eternal peace of the pharaohs. In Ancient Egypt, the lion was considered a symbol of power and guardian of sacred places. Some believe that the Sphinx was also a religious object; the entrance to the temple supposedly began at its paws.

Other answers are sought based on the location of the statue. It is turned towards the Nile and looks strictly east. Therefore, there is an option that the Sphinx is associated with the Sun God. The ancient inhabitants could worship him, bring gifts here, and ask for a good harvest.

It is unknown what the ancient Egyptians themselves called the statue. There is an assumption that “Seshep-ankh” is “an image of the Existing or Living.” That is, he was the embodiment of the divine on earth. In the Middle Ages, the Arabs called the sculpture “Father or King of Terror and Fear.” The word “sphinx” itself is Greek and literally translates as “strangler.” Some historians make assumptions based on the name. In their opinion, there is emptiness inside the sphinx, people were tortured, tortured, killed there, hence the “father of horror” and the “strangler”. But this is just a guess, one of many.

Sphinx face

Who is immortalized in stone? The most official version is Pharaoh Khafre. During the construction of his pyramid, stone blocks of the same dimensions were used as in the construction of the Sphinx. Plus, not far from the statue they found an image of Khafre.

But even here, not everything is so obvious. An American expert compared the face from the image and the face of the Sphinx; finding no similarities, he came to the conclusion that these were portraits of completely different people.

Whose face does the Sphinx have? There are many versions. For example, Queen Cleopatra, the god of the rising sun - Horus, or one of the rulers of Atlantis. Proponents of this theory believe that the entire ancient Egyptian civilization was the work of the Atlanteans.

When was it built?

There is no answer to this question either. The official version is in 2500 BC. This exactly coincides with the reign of Pharaoh Khafre and the unprecedented dawn of ancient Egyptian civilization.

Japanese scientists used echolocators to study the internal state of the sculpture. Their discovery was a real sensation. The stones of the Sphinx were processed much earlier than the stones of the pyramids. Hydrologists joined the work. On the body of the Sphinx they found significant traces of water erosion; on the head they were not so large.

Therefore, experts came to the conclusion that the Sphinx was built when the climate in these places was different: it rained and there were floods. And this is 10, according to other sources, 15 thousand years before our era.

The sands of time do not spare

Time and people have not been kind to the Great Sphinx. In the Middle Ages, it was a training target for the Mamluks, Egypt's military caste. Either they broke off the nose, or it was an order from a certain ruler, or it was done by one religious fanatic, who was then torn apart by the crowd. It’s not clear how one can destroy a one and a half meter nose alone.

The Sphinx was once blue or purple. A little paint remains in the ear area. He had a beard - now it is an exhibit in the British and Cairo Museums. The royal headdress - the uraeus, which was decorated with a cobra on the forehead, did not survive at all.

The sands sometimes completely covered the statue. In 1400 BC, the Sphinx, by order of Pharaoh Thutmose IV, was cleaned for a year. We managed to free the front legs and part of the body. A plaque was then installed at the foot of the sculpture about this event; it can still be seen today.

The statue was freed from sand by the Romans, Greeks, and Arabs. But she was swallowed up again and again by the sands of time. The Sphinx was completely cleaned only in 1925.

A few more mysteries and speculations

It is believed that under the Sphinx there are certain passages, tunnels and even a huge library with ancient books. In the late 80s and early 90s, American and Japanese scientists, using special equipment, discovered several corridors and a certain cavity under the Sphinx. But Egyptian authorities stopped the research. Since 1993, any geological or radar work has been prohibited here.

Experts hope to find not only secret rooms. The ancient Egyptians built everything on the principle of symmetry, and one lion looks somehow unusual. There is a theory that somewhere nearby, under a thick layer of sand, another Sphinx is hidden, only female.

Egypt has long been a favorite holiday destination for thousands of tourists from all over the world. Some are attracted by the warm and gentle waves of the Red Sea, others by the oriental atmosphere of traditional markets and shops, and still others come here for the mysterious artifacts of Ancient Egypt. We can say that if a tourist came to Egypt and did not see the majestic pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, then he did not see anything. The ancient secrets kept by the temples and pyramids of Egypt still attract not only professional archaeologists, but also those who are ready to discover new knowledge and a lot of impressions.

Great Sphinx in Egypt

The Giza Sand Plateau is one of the most popular destinations in Egypt. Here are the famous pyramids, of which there are more than a thousand in total, and the largest of them are the pyramids of Cheops, Khafre and Mikerin. In addition, one cannot help but notice the guardian of the necropolis - the Great Sphinx. It is the Sphinx that still carries with it the dark mysteries of the past. As is known, The Great Sphinx is a huge statue, the length of which is as much as 72 meters, and its height reaches 20 meters. The statue itself looks like a creature with the head of a man (presumably it was the face of Pharaoh Khafre) and the body of a lion. The statue has changed significantly under the influence of time, in addition to huge distortions in the facial features, the plaster that covered the lining of the Sphinx and was brightly painted in blue, red and yellow colors has disappeared. Scientists have established that initially the Great Sphinx was painted entirely in purple (blue) color, and also served as a place for execution and hanging.

The name "sphinx" originates from the ancient Greek - "sphing", where this creature was feminine, and this word also means the verb "to strangle". Also, there is another etymological connection with the ancient Egyptian name of the sphinx - “shepses ankh”, which means “Image of the Living”. According to one version, The Sphinx is an image of the "Living God", which explains its ancient Egyptian name. Also, another version of scientists explains that, The sphinx served as a place for sacrifices. Practical confirmation of this were five other sphinxes found in Egypt, inside of which there was a thick layer of bone remains of human bodies. In addition, local residents have an ingrained fear of sphinx monsters. For example, in 1845, a sphinx was found in the ruins of Kalah; During the excavation of an archaeological find, local residents were gripped by an incomprehensible panic fear of the ancient sphinx. It is also known that in the Middle Ages the Arabs called the Sphinx the “father of horror.” The authentic name of the statue, which came from Ancient Egypt, remained unknown.

Where are the Pyramids and Sphinx located in Egypt?

Pyramids and Sphinx on the map of Egypt:

Each civilization had its own sacred symbols that brought something special to the culture and history. The Egyptian guardian of the tombs, the Sphinx, is proof of the greatest strength of the country and people, their power. This is a monumental reminder of the divine rulers who gave the world the image of eternal life. The majestic guardian of the desert inspires fear in people to this day: its origin and existence are shrouded in mystery, mystical legends and historical milestones.

Description of the Sphinx

The Sphinx is the majestic, tireless guardian of Egyptian tombs. At his post, he had to see many people - they all received a riddle from him. Those who found a solution moved on, but those who did not have an answer faced great grief.

Riddle of the Sphinx: “Tell me, who walks in the morning on four legs, in the afternoon on two, and in the evening on three? None of all the creatures living on earth changes as much as he does. When he walks on four legs, then he has less strength and moves more slowly than at other times?

There are several options for the origin of this mysterious creature. Each version was born in different parts of the planet.

Egyptian guards

A symbol of the greatness of the people is a statue erected in Giza, on the left bank of the Nile River, a sphinx creature with the head of one of the pharaohs - Khafre - and the massive body of a lion. The Egyptian guard is not just a figure, it is a symbol. The lion's body contains the incomparable strength of the mythical animal, and the upper part speaks of a sharp mind and incredible memory.

Egyptian mythology mentions creatures with the heads of a ram or a falcon. These are also guardian sphinxes. They are installed at the entrance to the temple in honor of the gods Horus and Amun. In Egyptology, this creature has varieties depending on the type of head, the presence of functional elements, and gender.

Historians claim that the true purpose of the Egyptian sphinxes was to guard the treasures and body of the deceased pharaoh. Sometimes they were installed at the entrance to temples to scare away thieves. Only scant descriptions of the life of this mythical creature have reached us. We can only guess what role he was assigned in the life of the ancient Egyptians.

Predator from Ancient Greece

Egyptian mythological writings have not survived, but Greek legends have survived to this day. Some researchers suggest that the Greeks borrowed the image of the mysterious creature from the Egyptians, but the right to create the name belongs to the inhabitants of Hellas. There are those who think completely differently: Greece is the birthplace of the Sphinx, and Egypt borrowed it and modified it to suit itself.

Both creatures in different mythological texts are similar only in their bodies, their heads are different. The Egyptian sphinx is a male; the Greek sphinx is depicted as a woman. She has a bull tail and large wings.

Opinions about the origin of the Greek Sphinx vary:

1. Some scriptures say that the predator is the child of the union of Typhon and Echidna.
2. Others say she is the daughter of Orff and Chimera.

The character, according to legend, was sent to King Laius as punishment for kidnapping the son of King Pelops and taking him with him. The Sphinx guarded the road at the entrance to the city and she asked each wanderer a riddle. If the answer was wrong, she ate the person. The predator received the only solution to the riddle from Oedipus. The proud creature could not stand the defeat and threw itself onto the rocks, this ends its life path in the ancient Greek writings.

Hero of myths in modern texts

The vigilant guard appeared more than once on the pages of works and was everywhere associated with power and mysticism. You can cross the road guarded by the sphinx only by answering the riddle correctly. JK Rowling used this image in the book “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” - these are vigilant servants to whom magicians trusted their magical treasures.

For some science fiction writers, the sphinx is a monster, with certain subtypes of genetic mutations.

Sphinx statue in Giza

The monument with the face of Khafre over the tomb of the pharaoh is located on the left bank of the Nile, part of the whole complex of architecture of the plateau of Ancient Egypt, a few kilometers from the main pyramid in the ensemble - Cheops.

The length of the statue is about 73 m, height 20. It can be seen even from Cairo, although it is located 30 km from Giza.

The Egyptian Sphinx Monument is one of the popular tourist spots, so getting to the complex is easy. It’s easy to take a taxi to the plateau; the trip from the center will take no more than half an hour. Cost no more than $30. If you need to save money and have a lot of time, the bus is suitable. Some hotels provide a free shuttle to the Great Sphinx Plateau.

History of the origin of the Egyptian Sphinx

In scientific texts there is no exact description of why and who erected this statue, only guesses. There is evidence that the structure is 4517 years old. Its creation dates back to 2500 BC. e. The architect is presumably called Pharaoh Khafre. The material from which the sphinx is composed coincides with the creator's pyramid. The blocks are made of baked clay.

Researchers from Germany suggested that the statue was erected in 7000 BC. e. The hypothesis was put forward based on test samples of the material and erosive changes in clay blocks.

Egyptologists from France claim that the Sphinx statue has survived several restorations.

Purpose

The ancient name of the sphinx statue is “the rising sun”; the inhabitants of ancient Egypt thought that it was a structure in honor of the greatness of the Nile. Many civilizations saw in sculpture a divine principle and a reference to the image of the Sun God - Ra.

According to some researchers, the sphinx is an assistant to the pharaohs in the afterlife and a guardian of tombs from destruction. A composite image associated with several seasons at once: the wings indicate autumn, the paws indicate summer, the body indicates spring, and the head corresponds to winter.

Secrets of the Egyptian Sphinx Statue

For several millennia, Egyptologists have not been able to come to an agreement; they have been arguing about the origin of such a large monument and its true purpose. The Sphinx is fraught with many mysteries, the answer to which is not yet possible.

Is there a hall of chronicles

Edgar Cayce, an American architect, was the first to claim that there were underground passages under the Sphinx statue. His statement was confirmed by Japanese researchers who, using X-rays, discovered a rectangular chamber 5 m long under the lion’s left paw. Edgar Cayce's hypothesis states: the Atlanteans decided to perpetuate the traces of their presence on earth in a special “hall of chronicles.”

Archaeologists have put forward their theory. In 1980, when drilling 15 m deep, the presence of Aswan granite and traces of a memorial room was proven. There are no deposits of this mineral in this part of the country. It was brought there specially and the “hall of chronicles” was inlaid with it.

Where did the sphinx go?

The ancient Greek philosopher and historian Herodotus took notes while traveling around Egypt. Upon returning home, he compiled an accurate map of the location of the pyramids in the complex, indicating the age according to eyewitnesses and the exact number of sculptures. In his chronicles, he included the number of slaves involved and even described in detail the food they were served.

Surprisingly, there is no mention of the Great Sphinx in his documents. Egyptologists suggest that during Herodotus's research, the statue was completely buried under the sands. This happened to the sphinx several times: over two centuries she was dug up at least 3 times. In 1925, the statue was completely cleared of sand.

Why is he looking east

Interesting fact: on the chest of the large Egyptian sphinx there is an inscription “I look at your vanity.” He is truly majestic and mysterious, wise and wary. A barely noticeable grin froze on his lips. It seems to many that a monument cannot in any way change a person’s fate, but the facts say otherwise.

One photographer allowed himself too much: he climbed onto the statue for spectacular photos, but felt a push in the back and fell. When he woke up, he did not see any pictures on the camera, despite the fact that all this time he was alone and the camera was film.

The mystical guard has shown his capabilities more than once, so the residents of Egypt are sure that the statue protects their peace and watches the Sunrise.

Where is the Sphinx's nose and beard?

There are several assumptions why the Sphinx lacks a nose and beard:

1. During Bonaparte's great Egyptian campaign, they were repulsed by artillery shells. This theory is refuted by images of the Egyptian Sphinx made before this event - parts are no longer on them.
2. The second theory claims that in the 14th century, Islamic extremists, obsessed with the idea of ​​ridding the inhabitants of the idol, tried to disfigure it. The vandals were caught and publicly executed right next to the statue.
3. The third theory is based on erosive changes in the sculpture due to exposure to wind and water. This option is accepted by researchers from Japan and France.

Restoration

Researchers have repeatedly made attempts to restore the statue of the Great Egyptian Sphinx and completely clean it of sand. Ramses II is the first to excavate a national symbol. Restoration was then carried out by Italian Egyptologists in 1817 and 1925. In 2014, the statue was closed for cleaning and restoration for several months.

Some Fascinating Facts

In various historical documents there are records that help to better understand the life of the people of Ancient Egypt and provide food for thought about the origin of the Great Sphinx:

1. Excavations of the plateau around the statue revealed that the builders of this gigantic monument left the place of work quickly after completion of construction. There are remains of mercenaries' belongings, tools and household items everywhere.
2. During the construction of the sphinx statue, high salaries were paid - this is evidenced by the excavations of M. Lehner. He managed to calculate an approximate worker's menu.
3. The statue was multi-colored. Wind, water and sand tried to destroy the sphinx and pyramids on the plateau, mercilessly affecting them. But despite this, traces of yellow and blue paint remained in some places on his chest and head.
4. The first mention of the Sphinx belongs to the ancient Greek writings. In the epic of Hellas, this is a female creature, cruel and sad, when the Egyptians transformed it - the statue has a male face with an almost neutral expression.
5. This is an androsphinx - it has no wings and is male.

Despite the past millennia, the Sphinx is still majestic and monumental, full of mysteries and shrouded in myths. He directs his gaze into the distance and calmly watches the sunrise. Why the Egyptians made this mythical creature their main symbol is a mystery of antiquity that cannot be solved. We are left with only guesses.

It can be seen from afar, its power attracts the eye and many questions arise. To this day, the Great Sphinx remains one of the most ancient and mysterious statues. Its height is more than 20 meters. The width of the sculpture reaches 57 meters. It is surprising that the desert sands in the 17th century BC. swallowed up the Sphinx. The sculpture disappeared for several centuries. And only in the 5th century BC. Thutmose ordered it to be excavated. The last excavations were carried out by the Egyptian Antiquities Service in 1925.

The Great Sphinx as a collective image

The creators of the Sphinx attached great importance to astrology. Using her knowledge, and in particular, the positions of the Sun in the Zodiac: Taurus, Scorpio, Leo, Aquarius. In addition, when depicting the Sphinx, sculptors embodied in the sculpture the collective image of the pharaoh, Imhotep, and the gods Baboon and Horus. Therefore, the Sphinx was given the name “Living Image”.

Age of the Great Sphinx

There are different versions about when the Great Sphinx was created. Some believe the statue is 200,000 years old. According to scientist N.N. Sochevanov, the Great Sphinx began to be built 44 thousand years BC. and finished after 1200 years. Many who study the age of the giant sculpture focus on the processes occurring in the limestone as a result of erosion. Dr. R. Schoch, professor of geology at Boston University, takes into account the degree of erosion of the rock and believes that the Sphinx was created around 5000-6000 BC, since it rained during this period.

Unfortunately, time has not been kind to the figure, and people treated her barbarously. The Sphinx's face is disfigured. In the 14th century, one of the sheikhs, in order to fulfill the covenant of Muhammad, who forbade depicting a human face, damaged the sculpture. The head of the Sphinx was used for target practice by the Mamelukes.

Now the place in Egypt where the monumental structure is located is a place for excursions. The majestic Great Sphinx evokes fear and wonder at the same time.

You can learn more about the history of Egypt and beyond at the Abdin Palace, which is now a museum complex.

Great Sphinx on the map of Cairo

It can be seen from afar, its power attracts the eye and many questions arise. To this day, the Great Sphinx remains one of the most ancient and mysterious statues. Its height is more than 20 meters. The width of the sculpture reaches 57 meters. It is surprising that the desert sands in the 17th century BC. swallowed up the Sphinx. The sculpture disappeared for several centuries. And only in the 5th century BC. Thutmose ordered it to be excavated. ..." />