Introduction & Name

Most people first associate "Sphinx" to the Great Sphinx of Egypt, which was 'rediscovered' by the western world when Napoleon's soldiers came across it in 1798. However, there are other sphinxes in Egypt as well as in other cultures and myth. In 1854 Layard wrote in Discoveries at Nineveh (Assyria) of his excavation of two alabaster sphinxes at a palace entrance. These sphinxes, about 5'x5' (1.5m), were winged, beardless, and had ornamental caps. Layard believed they may have been altars.

In Egypt alone there are enough sphinxes that they have been categorized by type: crisophinx (lion body with ram head), hierocosphinx (lion body with hawk head), and androsphinx (lion body with human head, like the Great Sphinx). Viewed as protectors and guardians, the lesser sphinxes are often seen at temple entrances. Rows of sphinx statues can be found at Luxor and Kamak, and new statues are still being found. Since 1994 Jean Yves Empereur has been conducting an underwater dig in Alexandria harbor. He believes he has discovered the remains of the Pharos Lighthouse wonder, and has thus far located 26 sphinx statues dating from Sesostris III (12th Dynasty, 1991-1786 BCE) through Psamtik III (circa 525 BCE in the 26th Dynasty).

The name itself derives from the Greek word "sphingo," to strangle, or "sphingein," to bind tight, based on the Greek Sphinx's habit of strangling its victims. The name was subsequently applied to the Egyptian and other arabic sphinxes because of their physical similarity to descriptions of the mythical Greek Sphinx, although the construction of the Great Sphinx certainly predates the Greek story.

Although it is unknown what the Great Sphinx was originally called by the Egyptians, it is referred to circa 1500 B.C.E. as Hor-em-akht (Horus in the Horizon), Bw-How (Place of Horus) and also as Ra-horakhty (Ra of Two Horizons).

An air of mystery has always surrounded the inscrutable Sphinx, causing speculation about its true age and purpose, method of construction, hidden chambers, role in prophesy, proximity to the equally mysterious pyramids and helping to associate it with riddles and secret knowledge.

Location

The Great Sphinx is located in Egypt on the Giza (Gizeh) plateau, situated about six miles west of Cairo. This area is part of the necropolis of ancient Memphis, the seat of power for the pharaohs. The Sphinx faces due east a short distance from a trio of large pyramids (Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), Khafre (Chephren) and Menkaura (Mycerinus)). Giza is a rich archaeological site which also contains the smaller Queen's pyramids, temples, causeways, and numerous rectangular tombs (mastabas) for attendants and other family members.
 

Follow the image below for a full-size view of a computer model reconstruction of the Giza "complex."
 

 

 

Description

The Great Sphinx is a statue with the body of a male lion with the head of a human. The Great Sphinx was excavated and carved from a relatively soft, natural limestone outcropping on the Giza Plateau. The extensions which fan out at the sides of the head are part of the royal nemes (striped headcloth). At one time there was a uraeus (rearing cobra headpiece which protected from evil forces) and a narrow beard. It looms 241 feet long and 65 feet high. [Sphinx picture with additional dimensions (34k jpg)]
 

Between the forelegs of the Sphinx and in front of his chest, is the "Dream" Stela (a carved or inscribed commemorative stone slab or pillar) of Thutmose IV (c.1400-1390 BCE). This granite stela dates from the first year of Thutmose's reign and recounts a dream from his early years in which the Sphinx (or Horus?) promised him kingship. In return, Thutmose would clear the sand from around the body of the Sphinx. In front of the stela is a freestanding altar, a remnant of a chapel placed here during the reign of Rameses II (c.1279-1213 BCE).

Age of the Sphinx

The traditional and probably still majority view is that the Great Sphinx was built at the same time as the nearby Pyramid of Khafre (Khaf-Ra, Chephren) in about 2540 B.C.E. The face of the Great Sphinx has been thought to be Khafre's, though recent evidence casts doubt on this notion (see below).

However there has been lively debate in recent years arguing that it may be anywhere from two to four times that old. John Anthony West first noticed weathering patterns on the Sphinx that were consistent with water erosion rather than erosion produced by wind and sand. These patterns were not found on other structures on the plateau. Geologist Robert Schock agreed that water erosion was in evidence.

Egypt is arid today, but about 10,000 years ago the land was wet and rainy. West and Schock conclude the Sphinx must be on the order of 7,000 to 10,000 years old in order to have the marks of water erosion they found.

Also, Robert Bauval and Graham Hancock have developed a theory that the Sphinx, when considered with the neighboring pyramids and ancient writings, is part of, and possibly the first element of, a kind of astronomical map related to the constellation Orion. They have concluded that the "best fit" for this map is found for the position of the stars as they were in 10,500 B.C.E.

Finally, there are no inscriptions or writings that directly indicate the builder or date of construction for the Sphinx. There are, in fact, some minor references that the Sphinx existed prior to the pyramids.

The evidence is controversial. Yet consider ... even using the traditional age, the Great Sphinx is 4,500 years old! Even the standing stones at ancient Stonehenge are not that old (though special use of the site itself dates to the 8th or 9th millennium). This Sphinx's great age is part of its wonder, and a big part of the reason we have insufficient written record to know more about its age and construction.

Construction and Maintenance

The Great Sphinx was not 'carved' in the usual sense of the word, rather giant blocks of soft limestone were quarried around the Great Sphinx to give its basic shape. This is why the Great Sphinx appears to sit below the surrounding land in its own 'nook.' These blocks, some many times more massive than the blocks used in pyramid construction (up to about 70 tons, and measuring 30'x10'x12'), were used to build the 'sphinx temple' located immediately in front of the Great Sphinx. Additional shaping of the body was done, then finer shaping was accomplished by casing or sheathing the body with masonry. (Similarly, the blocks used to construct the pyramids, while finely and masterfully fitted, did not produce smooth faces. Their step-like sides were shaped with masonry, as can be seen in the pyramid of Khafre where only the top remains shaped.)

The head was more traditionally sculpted from the same stone, and the forepaws were separately made from blocks of limestone.

As many of the ancient marvels, the Sphinx has suffered the ravages of time, man and modern pollution. The rearing cobra headpiece (uraeus) that sat on the king's forehead is lost, the nose is damaged (though contrary to popular it was lost prior to the arrival of Napoleon's army), and the beard now consists of only museum fragments. The Great Sphinx has fallen to disrepair and been mostly covered by sand many times. Records indicate as early as 1400 B.C.E. Thutmose IV cleared sand covering the Sphinx. Most recently, after at least four clearings since 1800, a massive and expensive restoration and preservation project has been underway from 1950 to the present. Early on in this project, regular cement was used for repairs which was incompatible with the limestone, and actually caused additional damage.

There is some speculation that the Sphinx may have started as a yardang. According to this theory, a limestone outcrop which perhaps already suggested a head or face was carved with no body. The head would have appeared to stand on the ground much like the states of Easter Island. Much later, perhaps following major climate changes, the excavation took place which formed the body as we know it today. If this theory has merit, the origins of the Sphinx (although not as a sphinx) could be very ancient indeed.

Face Detail

Who Does the Sphinx Represent

Egyptologists have long believed that the head of the Great Sphinx was intended to be a likeness of the pharaoh Khafre because of the proposed dates of its construction, the use of the royal headpiece and its physical relationship to Khafre's pyramid.

However, in 1996, a NY detective and expert in identification, took various measurements of the size, angles and proportions of the head and concluded that it did not match known representations of Khafre's face. There was a greater resemblance to Khafre's elder brother Djedefre, however the lack of any records regarding the head leaves us in a bit of a quandary. It is possible, but not likely, that the Great Sphinx was given a generic royal head. Guardian's Sphinx site (links below) has a facial comparison showing the Sphinx, Khafre and Djedefre, though comparison is difficult without seeing several angles in detail.

You can tell by examining some of the photographs that the head of the Great Sphinx is relatively small in relation to the lion body, which is otherwise in correct proportion. Possible explanations could be that the head has been re-carved one or more times since the first image was constructed. A subsequent pharaoh, or pharaohs, may have preferred to see his own likeness, or perhaps the original head was that of a ram or hawk and the shape left insufficient material for an accurate facial rendering without reducing the size of the head even further. Repairing damage to the head over thousands of years might have necessitated reducing or altering facial proportions. All this could account for the small size of the head in relation to the body, particularly if the Great Sphinx is older than traditionally believed.

Mystical Connections

 While the Sphinx has always been a wonder, and certainly a mystery in modern times, its "mystical connections" probably began in the 1940's with the American psychic and prophet Edgar Cayce. In a trance he predicted that a chamber would be found under the front paws of the Sphinx which would contain a library of records originating with the survivors of the destruction of Atlantis. While this may sound far-fetched, intriguing bits of evidence have emerged.

Workers restoring the Sphinx located a doorway in its side. Old photographs show that this door was at least partially open at one time. The full extent of this opening have not been explored.

In 1995 workers renovating a parking lot near the Sphinx uncovered a series of tunnels and pathways, two of which dip further underground near the Sphinx. Bauval believes these are ancient and probably contemporaneous with the Sphinx itself.

While examining evidence of erosion, West's team used a seismograph around the Sphinx. They found evidence of hollow, regularly shaped spaces or chambers a few meters below ground between the paws and to either side of the Sphinx. To date, no further examination has been allowed.