What is the Sphinx? Secrets of the Egyptian Sphinx. History of the origin of the Egyptian Sphinx

Not far from the Great Pyramid of Cheops, which is considered one of the seven wonders of the world, is the majestic Sphinx - a creature with the body of a lion and the head of a man. The inscription on the stone slab installed between the paws of this stone statue says that it is an image of the Sun God - Hamarkis. In addition, scientists believe that the Sphinx bears similarities to Pharaoh Khafre, during whose reign it was created (circa 2520-2494 BC).

Many years later, the Sphinx statue was discovered under a thick layer of sand and completely restored by the Egyptian pharaoh Thutmose IV. And this happened under very mysterious circumstances. In a dream, God appeared to Pharaoh and said that his body was crushed by sand. God asked to release him and indicated the exact place where the excavations needed to be carried out. The Sphinx's broken head was found between its paws.
It is believed that the steps leading up to the Sphinx were built much later than the statue itself. This probably happened during the time of the Romans (they are known to have reconstructed many Egyptian structures). A small depression was discovered on the head of the Sphinx. For a long time, researchers thought that underneath there was a secret entrance leading to the Great Pyramid. However, most likely, this depression was made to strengthen the headdress of the Sphinx, which is now lost forever.

Many scholars believed that there were hidden passages or chambers in the Sphinx's body. In order to detect them, metal rods were inserted into the statue. But all these attempts were in vain. Now we know for sure that the Sphinx is carved from solid rock, more precisely, the main part of the statue is made from solid rock, and its front part is made from separate stones). The dimensions of the Sphinx evoke genuine respect: its length is 73.5 m and its height is 20 m. Some scientists believe that the rock from which the Sphinx was carved was brought from afar by an unknown vehicle. This hypothesis is supported, first of all, by the fact that the remains of tiny sea creatures - mumillites - were found in the stone. Where do they come from in arid Egypt? However, most scientists are still confident that the Sphinx was made from local natural rock, shaped like a statue.

In earlier times, there was a widespread version that the Sphinx was a portal (entrance) to the Great Pyramid. Researcher P. Christian, for example, believed that between the paws of the Sphinx there were gates leading to underground galleries. These galleries were so cleverly intertwined that any person who accidentally got into them, after long wanderings, was sure to return to the starting point. Only the high priests knew the correct path leading to the Great Pyramid.

Unfortunately, this mysterious bronze door was never found, and probably will never be found. After all, if it once existed, then over many millennia it was inevitably covered with sand and debris. And the Sphinx itself has suffered greatly from time to time. His regal face, which still retained traces of red paint here and there, is now disfigured beyond recognition. The nose of the sculpture was broken off by Muslims so that the faithful would not fall into idolatry. However, despite her advanced age, the Sphinx still looks very majestic to this day. No wonder for the Egyptians he was the embodiment of strength and intelligence.

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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 scanty 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 it 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 an ancient mystery that cannot be solved. We are left with only guesses.

Each civilization has its own symbols, which are considered integral parts of the people, their culture and history. The Sphinx of Ancient Egypt is an immortal proof of the power, strength and greatness of the country, a silent reminder of the divine origin of its rulers, who have sunk into the centuries, but left on earth the image of eternal life. The national symbol of Egypt is considered one of the greatest architectural monuments of the past, which still inspires involuntary fear with its impressiveness, an aura of secrets, mystical legends and centuries-old history.

Monument in numbers

The Egyptian Sphinx is known to each and every inhabitant on earth. The monument is carved from a monolithic rock, has the body of a lion and the head of a man (according to some sources - a pharaoh). The length of the statue is 73 m, height - 20 m. The symbol of the power of royal power is located on the Giza plateau on the western coast of the Nile River and is surrounded by a wide and fairly deep ditch. The Sphinx's thoughtful gaze is directed to the east, towards the point in the heavens where the Sun rises. The monument was covered by sand many times and was restored more than once. The statue was completely cleared of sand only in 1925, striking the imagination of the inhabitants of the planet with its scale and size.

History of the statue: facts versus legends

In Egypt, the Sphinx is considered the most mysterious and mystical monument. Its history has attracted great interest and special attention from historians, writers, directors and researchers for many years. Everyone who has had the chance to touch eternity, which the statue represents, offers their own version of its origin. Local residents call the stone landmark the “father of horror” due to the fact that the Sphinx is the keeper of many mysterious legends and a favorite place for tourists - lovers of mysteries and fantasy. According to researchers, the history of the Sphinx goes back more than 13 centuries. Presumably, it was built in order to record an astronomical phenomenon - the reunion of three planets.

Origin myth

There is still no reliable information about what this statue symbolizes, why it was built and when. The lack of history is replaced by legends that are passed down orally and told to tourists. The fact that the Sphinx is the oldest and largest monument in Egypt gives rise to mysterious and absurd stories about it. There is an assumption that the statue guards the tombstones of the greatest pharaohs - the pyramids of Cheops, Mikerin and Khafre. Another legend says that the stone statue symbolizes the personality of Pharaoh Khafre, the third - that it is a statue of the god Horus (god of the sky, half-man, half-falcon), watching the ascent of his father, the Sun God Ra.

Legends

In ancient Greek mythology, the Sphinx is mentioned as an ugly monster. According to the Greeks, the legends of Ancient Egypt about this monster sound like this: a creature with the body of a lion and the head of a man was born by Echidna and Typhon (a half-snake woman and a giant with a hundred dragon heads). It had the face and breasts of a woman, the body of a lion and the wings of a bird. The monster lived not far from Thebes, lay in wait for people and asked them a strange question: “Which living creature moves on four legs in the morning, on two in the afternoon, and on three in the evening?” None of the wanderers trembling with fear could give the Sphinx an intelligible answer. After which the monster sentenced them to death. However, the day came when the wise Oedipus was able to solve his riddle. “This is a person in childhood, maturity and old age,” he answered. After this, the crushed monster rushed from the top of the mountain and crashed against the rocks.

According to the second version of the legend, in Egypt the Sphinx was once a God. One day, the heavenly ruler fell into an insidious trap of the sands, called the “cage of oblivion,” and fell asleep in an eternal sleep.

Real facts

Despite the mysterious overtones of the legends, the real story is no less mystical and mysterious. According to the initial opinion of scientists, the Sphinx was built at the same time as the pyramids. However, in the ancient papyri, from which information about the construction of the pyramids was gleaned, there is not a single mention of a stone statue. The names of the architects and builders who created the grandiose tombs for the pharaohs are known, but the name of the person who gave the world the Sphinx of Egypt still remains unknown.

True, several centuries after the creation of the pyramids, the first facts about the statue appeared. The Egyptians call her “shepes ankh” - “living image”. Scientists were unable to give the world any more information or scientific explanation of these words. But at the same time, the cult image of the mysterious Sphinx - a winged maiden-monster - is mentioned in Greek mythology, numerous fairy tales and legends. The hero of these tales, depending on the author, periodically changes his appearance, appearing in some versions as a half-man, half-lion, and in others as a winged lioness.

The story of ancient Egypt about the Sphinx

Another puzzle for scientists was the chronicle of Herodotus, who in 445 BC. described in great detail the process of building the pyramids. He told the world interesting stories about how the structures were erected, over what period of time and how many slaves were involved in their construction. The narrative of the “father of history” even touched upon such nuances as the feeding of slaves. But, oddly enough, Herodotus never mentioned the stone Sphinx in his work. The fact of the construction of the monument was also not discovered in any of the subsequent records.

The work of the Roman writer Pliny the Elder, “Natural History,” helped shed light on the mystery of the Sphinx. In his notes, he talks about the next cleansing of sand from the monument. Based on this, it becomes clear why Herodotus did not leave a description of the Sphinx to the world - the monument at that time was buried under a layer of sand. So how many times has he found himself trapped in the sand?

First "restoration"

Judging by the inscription left on the stone stele between the monster’s paws, Pharaoh Thutmose I spent a year liberating the monument. Ancient writings say that, as a prince, Thutmose fell asleep at the foot of the Sphinx and had a dream in which the god Harmakis appeared to him. He predicted the prince's ascension to the throne of Egypt and ordered the release of the statue from the sand trap. After some time, Thutmose successfully became pharaoh and remembered his promise to the deity. He ordered not only to dig up the giant, but also to restore it. Thus, the first revival of the Egyptian legend occurred in the 15th century. BC. It was then that the world learned about the grandiose structure and unique cult monument of Egypt.

It is known for certain that after the revival of the Sphinx by Pharaoh Thutmose, it was once again dug up during the reign of the Ptolemaic dynasty, under the Roman emperors who captured Ancient Egypt, and the Arab rulers. In our time, it was again liberated from the sands in 1925. To this day, the statue has to be cleaned after sandstorms, as it is an important tourist site.

Why is the monument missing a nose?

Despite the antiquity of the sculpture, it has practically been preserved in its original form, embodying the Sphinx. Egypt (photo of the monument is presented above) managed to preserve its architectural masterpiece, but failed to protect it from the barbarity of people. The statue does not currently have a nose. Scientists suggest that one of the pharaohs, for a reason unknown to science, ordered the nose of the statue to be knocked off. According to other sources, the monument was damaged by Napoleon's army by firing a cannon at its face. The British chopped off the monster’s beard and transported it to their museum.

However, the later discovered notes of the historian Al-Makrizi dated 1378 say that the stone statue no longer had a nose. According to him, one of the Arabs, wanting to atone for religious sins (the Koran prohibited the depiction of human faces), broke off the giant’s nose. In response to such an atrocity and desecration of the Sphinx, the sands began to take revenge on the people, advancing on the lands of Giza.

As a result, scientists came to the conclusion that in Egypt the Sphinx lost its nose as a result of strong winds and floods. Although this assumption has not yet found real confirmation.

The Stunning Secrets of the Sphinx

In 1988, as a result of exposure to acrid factory smoke, a significant part of the stone block (350 kg) broke off from the monument. UNESCO, concerned about the appearance and condition of the tourist and cultural site, resumed repairs, thereby opening the way for new research. As a result of a careful study of the stone blocks of the pyramid of Cheops and the Sphinx by Japanese archaeologists, a hypothesis was put forward that the monument was built much earlier than the great tomb of the pharaoh. The finding was a stunning discovery for historians, who had assumed that the pyramid, Sphinx and other funerary structures were contemporary. The second, no less surprising discovery was a long narrow tunnel discovered under the left paw of the predator, connected to the Cheops pyramid.

After Japanese archaeologists, hydrologists took up the most ancient monument. They found traces of erosion on his body from a large water flow that moved from north to south. After a series of studies, hydrologists came to the conclusion that the stone lion was a silent witness to the Nile flood - a biblical catastrophe that occurred about 8-12 thousand years ago. American researcher John Anthony West explained the signs of water erosion on the lion's body and their absence on the head as evidence that the Sphinx existed during the Ice Age and dates back to any period before 15 thousand BC. e. According to French archaeologists, the history of Ancient Egypt can boast of the oldest monument that existed even at the time of the destruction of Atlantis.

Thus, the stone statue tells us about the existence of the greatest civilization, which managed to erect such a majestic structure, which became an immortal image of the Past.

Ancient Egyptians' worship of the Sphinx

The pharaohs of Egypt regularly made pilgrimages to the foot of the giant, which symbolized the great past of their country. They made sacrifices on the altar, which was located between his paws, burned incense, receiving from the giant a silent blessing for the kingdom and throne. The Sphinx was for them not only the embodiment of the Sun God, but also a sacred image that granted them hereditary and legitimate power from their ancestors. He personified powerful Egypt, the history of the country was reflected in his majestic appearance, embodying each image of the new pharaoh and turning modernity into a component of eternity. Ancient writings glorified the Sphinx as a great creator god. His image reunited the past, present and future.

Astronomical explanation of the stone sculpture

According to the official version, the Sphinx would have been built in 2500 BC. e. by order of Pharaoh Khafre during the reign of the Fourth Ruling Dynasty of Pharaohs. The huge lion is located among other majestic structures on the stone plateau of Giza - three pyramids. Astronomical studies have shown that the location of the statue was chosen not by blind inspiration, but in accordance with the point of intersection of the path of the celestial bodies. It served as an equatorial point indicating the exact location on the horizon of the sunrise site on the day of the vernal equinox. According to astronomers, the Sphinx was built 10.5 thousand years ago.

It is noteworthy that the pyramids of Giza are located on the ground in exactly the same order as the three stars of Orion's Belt in the sky that year. According to legend, the Sphinx and the pyramids recorded the position of the stars, the astronomical time, which the ancient Egyptians called first. Since the celestial personification of the god Osiris, who ruled at that time, was Orion, man-made structures were built to depict the stars of his belt in order to perpetuate and record the time of his power.

The Great Sphinx as a tourist attraction

Currently, a giant lion with a human head attracts millions of tourists eager to see with their own eyes the legendary stone sculpture, shrouded in the darkness of centuries-old history and many mystical legends. The interest of all mankind in it is due to the fact that the secret of the creation of the statue remained unsolved, buried under the sands. It's hard to imagine how many secrets the Sphinx holds. Egypt (photos of the monument and pyramids can be seen on any tourist portal) can be proud of its great history, outstanding people, grandiose monuments, the truth about which their creators took with them to the kingdom of Anubis, the god of death. The huge stone Sphinx is great and impressive, the history of which remains unsolved and full of secrets. The statue’s calm gaze is still directed into the distance and its appearance is still imperturbable. For how many centuries has he been a silent witness to human suffering, the vanity of rulers, the sorrows and troubles that befell the Egyptian land? How many secrets does the Great Sphinx keep? Unfortunately, no answers have been found to all these questions over the years.

What is sick with the Sphinx?

Arab sages, amazed by the majesty of the Sphinx, said that the giant is timeless. But over the past millennia, the monument has suffered a fair amount, and, first of all, man is to blame for this.

At first, the Mamluks practiced shooting accuracy at the Sphinx; their initiative was supported by Napoleonic soldiers. One of the rulers of Egypt ordered the sculpture’s nose to be broken off, and the British stole the giant’s stone beard and took it to the British Museum.

In 1988, a huge block of stone broke off from the Sphinx and fell with a roar. They weighed her and were horrified - 350 kg. This fact has caused UNESCO the most serious concern. It was decided to gather a council of representatives from a variety of specialties to find out the reasons for the destruction of the ancient structure.

As a result of a comprehensive examination, scientists discovered hidden and extremely dangerous cracks in the head of the Sphinx; in addition, they found that external cracks sealed with low-quality cement are also dangerous - this creates a threat of rapid erosion. The Sphinx's paws were in no less deplorable condition.

According to experts, the Sphinx is primarily harmed by human activity: exhaust gases from automobile engines and the acrid smoke of Cairo factories penetrate into the pores of the statue, which gradually destroys it. Scientists say that the Sphinx is seriously ill.

Hundreds of millions of dollars are needed to restore the ancient monument. There is no such money. In the meantime, the Egyptian authorities are restoring the sculpture on their own.

Mother of fear

Egyptian archaeologist Rudwan Al-Shamaa believes that the Sphinx has a female couple and she is hidden under a layer of sand. The Great Sphinx is often called the "Father of Fear". According to the archaeologist, if there is a “Father of Fear,” then there must also be a “Mother of Fear.”

In his reasoning, Ash-Shamaa relies on the way of thinking of the ancient Egyptians, who firmly followed the principle of symmetry. In his opinion, the lonely figure of the Sphinx looks very strange.

The surface of the place where, according to the scientist, the second sculpture should be located, rises several meters above the Sphinx. “It is logical to assume that the statue is simply hidden from our eyes under a layer of sand,” Al-Shamaa is convinced.

The archaeologist gives several arguments in support of his theory. Ash-Shamaa recalls that between the front paws of the Sphinx there is a granite stele on which two statues are depicted; There is also a limestone tablet that says that one of the statues was struck by lightning and destroyed.

Chamber of Secrets.

In one of the ancient Egyptian treatises on behalf of the goddess Isis, it is reported that the god Thoth placed “sacred books” that contain “the secrets of Osiris” in a secret place, and then cast a spell on this place so that knowledge would remain “undiscovered until Heaven will not give birth to creatures who will be worthy of this gift.”

Some researchers are still confident in the existence of a “secret room”. They recall how Edgar Cayce predicted that one day in Egypt, under the right paw of the Sphinx, a room called the “Hall of Evidence” or “Hall of Chronicles” would be found. The information stored in the “secret room” will tell humanity about a highly developed civilization that existed millions of years ago.

In 1989, a group of Japanese scientists using a radar method discovered a narrow tunnel under the left paw of the Sphinx, extending towards the Pyramid of Khafre, and a cavity of impressive size was found northwest of the Queen’s Chamber. However, the Egyptian authorities did not allow the Japanese to conduct a more detailed study of the underground premises.

Research by American geophysicist Thomas Dobecki showed that under the paws of the Sphinx there is a large rectangular chamber. But in 1993, its work was suddenly suspended by local authorities. Since that time, the Egyptian government has officially prohibited geological or seismological research around the Sphinx.

Older than civilization

First, in 1991, a geology professor from Boston conducted an analysis of the erosion of the surface of the Sphinx and concluded that the age of the Sphinx must be at least 9,500 thousand years old, that is, the Sphinx is at least 5,000 years older than scientists thought! Secondly, Robert Bauval, using modern computer modeling technologies, discovered that about 12,500 years ago (11th century BC), in the early morning, the constellation Leo was clearly visible right above the site where the Sphinx was built. He logically assumed that the sphinx, which closely resembles a Lion, was built on this site as a symbol of this event. Well, the third nail in the coffin of the views of official science was hammered by police artist Frank Domingo, who drew identikit photographs. He stated that the Sphinx has nothing in common with the face of Pharaoh Khafre. So now we could safely say that the Sphinx was built long before any civilization known to science.

Huge voids under the sphinx

Of course, all these discoveries and statements could have been hidden under a thick layer of dust in scientific offices, but then, as luck would have it, Japanese researchers came to Egypt. It was 1989, then a group of scientists from Waseda, led by Professor Sakuji Yoshimura, using modern electromagnetic radar instruments, discovered tunnels and rooms directly under the sphinx. Immediately after their discovery, the Egyptian authorities intervened in the research, and Yoshimura's group was deported from Egypt for life. The same discovery was repeated in the same year by Thomas Dobecki, an American geophysicist. True, he only managed to explore a small area under the right paw of the sphinx, after which he was also promptly expelled from Egypt.

Three very strange events

In 1993, a robot was sent into a small tunnel (20x20 cm) that led from the burial chamber of the Cheops pyramid, which found inside this same tunnel a wooden door with brass handles, into which it safely rested. Next, for 10 years, scientists developed a new robot with the goal of opening the door. And in 2003 they launched it into the same tunnel. It must be admitted that he successfully opened the door, and behind it the already narrow tunnel began to narrow even more. The robot could not drive further, but in the distance it saw another door. A new robot, with the purpose of opening the second “flap”, was launched in 2013. After which tourist access to the pyramids was finally closed, and all research results were classified. Since then there has been no official news.

Secret city

But there are many unofficial ones, one of which is actively lobbied and promoted by the American Cayce Foundation (the same one, by the way, that allegedly predicted the discovery of a certain secret room under the Sphinx). According to their version, in 2013 they finally drove through the second door of the tunnel, after which a stone slab with hieroglyphs rose from the ground between the front paws of the sphinx with hieroglyphs that told about the room under the sphinx and a certain Hall of Evidence. As a result of excavations, the Egyptians found themselves in this very first room, which turned out to be a kind of hallway. From there, the researchers went down to the tier below and found themselves in a round hall from which three tunnels led to the Great Pyramid. But then there are some very strange data. Allegedly, in one of the tunnels the road was blocked by an energy field unknown to science, which three certain great people were able to remove. After which a 12-story building was discovered, going underground. The dimensions of this structure are truly grandiose and more reminiscent of a city than a building - 10 kilometers wide and 13 kilometers long. In addition, the Casey Foundation claims that the Egyptians were hiding a certain Rod of Thoth - an archaeological artifact of world significance, which supposedly possesses the power of technologies unknown to mankind.

More questions than answers

Of course, at first glance, the theory of Cayce's followers seems complete nonsense. And everything would have been so if the Egyptian government had not partially confirmed the discovery of a certain underground city. It is clear that there was no information from official authorities about certain energy force fields. Also, the Egyptian authorities did not recognize the fact that they did get into the city, therefore, what was found there is also unknown. But the fact of recognition of the discovery of an underground city remains. So the Sphinx asks people a new riddle, and we can only make every effort to solve it.

Having heard the combination of the words “Ancient Egypt”, many will immediately imagine majestic pyramids and the large Sphinx - it is with them that a mysterious civilization separated from us by several millennia is associated. Let's get acquainted with interesting facts about sphinxes, these mysterious creatures.

Definition

What is a sphinx? This word first appeared in the Land of the Pyramids, and later spread throughout the world. So, in ancient Greece you can find a similar creature - a beautiful woman with wings. In Egypt, these creatures were most often masculine. The sphinx with the face of the female pharaoh Hatshepsut is famous. Having received the throne and pushed aside the rightful heir, this powerful woman tried to rule like a man, even wearing a special false beard. Therefore, it is not surprising that many statues of this time have found her face.

What function did they perform? According to mythology, the sphinx acted as the guardian of tombs and temple buildings, which is why most of the statues that have survived to this day were discovered near such structures. Thus, in the temple of the supreme deity, solar Amun, approximately 900 of them were found.

So, answering the question of what a sphinx is, it should be noted that this is a statue characteristic of the culture of Ancient Egypt, which, according to mythology, guarded temple buildings and tombs. The material used for creation was limestone, which was quite abundant in the Country of the Pyramids.

Description

The ancient Egyptians depicted the Sphinx like this:

• The head of a person, most often a pharaoh.
• The body of a lion, one of the sacred animals of the hot country of Kemet.

But this appearance is not the only option for depicting a mythological creature. Modern finds prove that there were other species, for example with the head:

• ram (the so-called cryosphinxes, installed near the temple of Amon);
• Falcon (they were called hieracosphinxes and were most often placed near the temple of the god Horus);
• hawk

So, answering the question of what a sphinx is, it should be pointed out that it is a statue with the body of a lion and the head of another creature (usually a person, a ram), which was installed in the immediate vicinity of temples.

The most famous sphinxes

The tradition of creating very original statues with a human head and a lion's body was inherent in the Egyptians for a long time. So, the first of them appeared during the fourth dynasty of the pharaohs, that is, around 2700-2500. BC e. Interestingly, the first representative was female and depicted Queen Hethephera the Second. This statue has reached us; anyone can look at it in the Cairo Museum.

Everyone knows the Great Sphinx of Giza, which we will talk about below.

The second largest sculpture depicting an unusual creature is an alabaster creation with the face of Pharaoh Amenhotep II, discovered in Memphis.

No less famous is the famous Avenue of the Sphinxes near the Temple of Amun in Luxor.

Greatest value

The most famous throughout the world, of course, is the Great Sphinx, which not only amazes with its enormous size, but also poses many mysteries to the scientific community.

The giant with a lion's body is located on the plateau at Giza (near the capital of the modern state, Cairo) and is part of a funerary complex that also includes three great pyramids. It was carved from a monolithic block and is the largest structure for which solid stone was used.

Even the age of this outstanding monument is controversial, although analysis of the rock suggests that it is at least 4.5 millennia old. What features of this colossal monument are known?

• The face of the Sphinx, disfigured by time and, as one legend says, by the barbaric actions of the soldiers of Napoleon's army, most likely depicts Pharaoh Khafre.
• The giant's face is turned to the east, which is where the pyramids are located - the statue seems to protect the peace of the greatest pharaohs of antiquity.
• The dimensions of the figure, carved from monolithic limestone, are amazing: length - more than 55 meters, width - about 20 meters, shoulder width - more than 11 meters.
• Previously, the ancient sphinx was painted, as evidenced by the surviving remains of paint: red, blue and yellow.
• The statue also had a beard, typical of the kings of Egypt. It has survived to this day, although separately from the sculpture - it is kept in the British Museum.

The giant found himself buried under the sand several times and was dug up. Perhaps it was the protection of the sand that helped the Sphinx survive the destructive influence of natural disasters.

Changes

The Egyptian Sphinx managed to defeat time, but it affected the change in its appearance:

• Initially, the figure had a traditional pharaonic headdress, decorated with a sacred cobra, but it was completely destroyed.
• The statue also lost its false beard.
• Damage to the nose has already been mentioned. Some blame this on the shelling of Napoleon's army, others on the actions of Turkish soldiers. There is also a version that the protruding part was damaged by wind and humidity.

Despite this, the monument is one of the greatest creations of the ancients.

Mysteries of history

Let's get acquainted with the secrets of the Egyptian Sphinx, many of which have not yet been solved:

• Legend has it that there are three underground passages under the giant monument. However, only one of them was found - behind the giant's head.
• The age of the largest sphinx is still unknown. Most scholars believe that it was built during the reign of Khafre, but there are those who consider the sculpture to be more ancient. Thus, her face and head retained traces of the influence of the water element, which is why the hypothesis arose that the giant was erected more than 6 thousand years ago, when a terrible flood hit Egypt.
• Perhaps the army of the French emperor is wrongly accused of causing damage to the great monument of the past, since there are drawings by an unknown traveler in which the giant is already depicted without a nose. Napoleon was not yet born at that time.
• As you know, the Egyptians knew writing and documented in detail everything on papyri - from conquests and the construction of temples to the collection of taxes. However, not a single scroll was found that contained information about the construction of the monument. Perhaps these documents simply have not survived to this day. Perhaps the reason is that the giant appeared long before the Egyptians themselves.
• The first mention of the Egyptian Sphinx was found in the works of Pliny the Elder, which talks about the work of excavating the sculpture from sand.

The majestic monument of the Ancient World has not yet revealed all its mysteries to us, so its research continues.

Restoration and protection

We learned what the Sphinx was and what role it played in the worldview of the ancient Egyptian. They tried to dig out the huge figure from the sand and partially restore it even under the pharaohs. It is known that similar work was carried out during the time of Thutmose IV. A granite stele has been preserved (the so-called “Dream Stele”), which tells that one day the pharaoh had a dream in which the god Ra ordered him to cleanse the statue of sand, in return promising power over the entire state.

Later, the conqueror Ramses II ordered the excavation of the Egyptian Sphinx. Then attempts were made in the early 19th and 20th centuries.

Now let's see how our contemporaries are trying to preserve this cultural heritage. The figure was carefully analyzed, all the cracks were identified, the monument was closed to the public and restored within 4 months. In 2014 it was reopened to tourists.

The history of the Sphinx in Egypt is amazing and filled with secrets and riddles. Many of them have not yet been solved by scientists, so the amazing figure with the body of a lion and the face of a man continues to attract attention.

Great Sphinx (Egypt) - description, history, location. Exact address, phone number, website. Tourist reviews, photos and videos.

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One of the most ancient sculptures in the world, without a doubt, can be called the statue of the Sphinx. In addition, this is also one of the most mysterious sculptures, because the mystery of the Sphinx has not yet been fully solved. The Sphinx is a creature with the head of a woman, the paws and body of a lion, the wings of an eagle and the tail of a bull. One of the largest images of the Sphinx is located on the west bank of the Nile, next to the Egyptian pyramids at Giza.

Almost everything related to the Egyptian Sphinx is controversial among scientists. The exact date of origin of this sculpture is still unknown and it is completely unclear why the statue is now missing a nose.

The statue, made of limestone rock, looks monumental and majestic. It is worth noting its impressive dimensions: length - 73 meters, height - 20 meters. The Sphinx looks at the Nile and the rising sun.

Almost everything related to the Sphinx is controversial among scientists. The exact date of origin of this sculpture is still unknown and it is completely unclear why the statue is now missing a nose. The meaning of the word is also unknown: translated from Greek, “sphinx” means “strangler,” but what the ancient Egyptians meant in this name remains a mystery.

It was customary to depict Egyptian pharaohs as a formidable lion who would not spare a single enemy. That is why it is believed that the Sphinx guards the peace of the buried pharaohs. The author of the sculpture is unknown, but many researchers believe that it is Khafre. True, this judgment is very controversial. Supporters of the theory refer to the fact that the stones of the sculpture and the nearby pyramid of Khafre are the same in size. In addition, an image of this pharaoh was found not far from the statue.

Interestingly, the Sphinx does not have a nose. Of course, this detail once existed, but the reason for its disappearance is still unknown. Perhaps the nose was lost during the battle of Napoleon's troops with the Turks in the territory of the pyramids in 1798. But, according to the Danish traveler Norden, the Sphinx looked like this already in 1737. There is a version that back in the 14th century, some religious fanatic mutilated the sculpture in order to fulfill the covenant of Muhammad to prohibit the depiction of a human face.

The Sphinx not only lacks a nose, but also a false ceremonial beard. Her story is also controversial among scientists. Some believe that the beard was made much later than the sculpture itself. Others believe that the beard was made at the same time as the head and that the ancient Egyptians simply did not have the technical capabilities for the subsequent installation of parts.

The destruction of the sculpture and its subsequent restoration helped scientists find interesting facts. For example, Japanese archaeologists came to the conclusion that the Sphinx was built before the pyramids. In addition, they discovered a tunnel under the left paw of the statue leading towards the Pyramid of Khafre. Interestingly, this tunnel was first mentioned by Soviet researchers.

For a long time, the mysterious sculpture was under a thick layer of sand. The first attempts to dig up the Sphinx were made in ancient times by Thutmose IV and Ramses II. True, they did not achieve much success. Only in 1817 was the Sphinx's chest freed, and more than 100 years later the statue was completely excavated.

Address: Nazlet El-Semman, Al Haram, Giza