Why was the Egyptian Sphinx actually built? Secrets that the Sphinx hides

Let's try to understand the purpose of its creation and the methods of its construction. Let's find out what they say in 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 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 detailed map statues 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 areas brick wall, which stretches 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. A Great Sphinx 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. In the days of spring and autumn equinox, the sun at sunset connects the two sanctuaries of the temple and the pyramid of Khafre, with one line.

Religion of the ancient Egyptian kingdom was based on the worship of the Sun. Locals they 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 collaboration“The Secret of the Sphinx,” 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 complex theory that all the buildings in this 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?

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Another proof was presented to us by the Japanese scientist Sakuji Yoshimura in 1988. He was able to determine that the stone from which the Sphinx was carved was older than the blocks of the pyramids. He used echolocation. Nobody took him seriously. Indeed, age rock It is impossible to determine by echolocation.

The only serious evidence of the “theory of the antiquity of the Sphinx” is the “Inventory Stele”. This monument was found in 1857 by Auguste Mariet, the founder of the Cairo Museum (pictured left).

On this stele there is an inscription that Pharaoh Cheops (Khufu) found the Sphinx statue already buried in the sand. But this stele was created during the 26th dynasty, that is, 2000 years after the life of Cheops. Don't trust this source too much.

One thing we can say for sure is that the Sphinx has the head and face of a pharaoh. This is evidenced by the nemes (or claft) headdress (see photo) and decorative element uraeus (see photo) on the forehead of the sculpture. These attributes could only be worn by the pharaoh of Upper and Lower Egypt. If the statue's nose had been preserved, we would have been closer to the answer.

By the way, where is the nose?

The dominant version in the public consciousness is that the nose was knocked down by the French in 1798-1800. Napoleon then conquered Egypt, and his gunners practiced shooting at the Great Sphinx.

This is not even a version, but a “fable”. In 1757, traveler Frederik Louis Norden from Denmark published sketches he made in Giza, and the nose was no longer there. At the time of publication, Napoleon had not even been born. You can see the sketch in the photo on the right; there really is no nose.

The reasons for the accusations against Napoleon are clear. The attitude towards him in Europe was very negative, he was often called a “monster”. As soon as there was a reason to accuse someone of damaging the historical heritage of mankind, of course, he was chosen as the “scapegoat”.

As soon as the version about Napoleon began to be actively refuted, a second, similar version arose. It says that the Mamluks fired cannons at the Great Sphinx. We cannot explain why public opinion is so drawn to hypotheses involving guns? It’s worth asking sociologists and psychoanalysts about this. This version also has not received confirmation.

A proven version of the loss of the nose was expressed in the work of the Arab historian al-Makrizi. He writes that in 1378 the nose of the statue was knocked off by a religious fanatic. He was outraged that the inhabitants of the Nile Valley worshiped the statue and brought gifts to it. We even know the name of this iconoclast - Muhammad Saim al-Dakhr.

Nowadays, scientists have conducted research in the area of ​​the Sphinx's nose and found traces of a chisel, that is, the nose was broken off with this very tool. There are two such marks in total - one chisel was driven under the nostril, and the second from above.

These traces are small and a tourist cannot notice them. However, you can try to imagine how this fanatic could do it. Apparently, he was lowered down on a rope. The Sphinx lost his nose, and Saim al-Dakhr lost his life; he was torn to pieces by the crowd.

From this story we can conclude that the Sphinx was still an object of cult and worship by the Egyptians in the 14th century, although almost 750 years had already passed since the beginning of Arab rule.

There is another version of the statue’s loss of its nose – natural causes. Erosion destroys the statue and even part of its head falls off. It was installed back during the last restoration. And this statue had many restorations.

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 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 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 exact number 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 the 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.

According to many studies, the Egyptian Sphinx hides even more mysteries than the Great Pyramids. No one knows for sure when and for what purposes this giant sculpture was built...

Vanishing Sphinx

It is generally accepted that the Sphinx was erected during the construction of the Pyramid of Khafre. However, in the ancient papyri relating to the construction of the Great Pyramids there is no mention of it. Moreover, we know that the ancient Egyptians meticulously recorded all the expenses associated with the construction of religious buildings, but economic documents related to the construction of the Sphinx have never been found.

In the 5th century BC. e. The pyramids of Giza were visited by Herodotus, who described in detail all the details of their construction. He wrote down “everything he saw and heard in Egypt,” but did not say a word about the Sphinx.

Before Herodotus, Hecataeus of Miletus visited Egypt, and after him, Strabo. Their records are detailed, but there is no mention of the Sphinx there either. Could the Greeks have missed a sculpture 20 meters high and 57 meters wide?

The answer to this riddle can be found in the work of the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder “Natural History”, who mentions that in his time (1st century AD) the Sphinx was once again cleared of sands brought from the western part of the desert. Indeed, the Sphinx was regularly “freed” from sand deposits until the 20th century.

Older than the pyramids

Restoration work that began in connection with emergency condition Sphinx, began to lead scientists to believe that the Sphinx may be older than previously thought.

To check this, Japanese archaeologists, led by Professor Sakuji Yoshimura, first illuminated the Cheops pyramid using an echolocator, and then examined the sculpture in a similar way. Their conclusion was striking - the stones of the Sphinx are older than those of the pyramid. It was not about the age of the breed itself, but about the time of its processing.

Later, the Japanese were replaced by a team of hydrologists - their findings also became a sensation. On the sculpture they found traces of erosion caused by large flows of water. The first assumption that appeared in the press was that in ancient times the bed of the Nile passed in a different place and washed the rock from which the Sphinx was hewn.

The guesses of hydrologists are even bolder: “Erosion is rather a trace not of the Nile, but of a flood - a mighty flood of water.” Scientists came to the conclusion that the flow of water went from north to south, and the approximate date of the disaster was 8 thousand years BC. e.

British scientists, repeating hydrological studies of the rock from which the Sphinx is made, pushed back the date of the flood to 12 thousand years BC. e. This is generally consistent with the dating Flood, which, according to most scientists, occurred around 8-10 thousand BC. e.

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.

Mysterious face

Among most Egyptologists, there is a firm belief that the appearance of the Sphinx depicts the face of the IV dynasty pharaoh Khafre. This confidence cannot be shaken by anything - neither by the absence of any evidence of a connection between the sculpture and the pharaoh, nor by the fact that the head of the Sphinx was repeatedly altered.

The well-known expert on Giza monuments, Dr. I. Edwards, is convinced that Pharaoh Khafre himself is visible in the face of the Sphinx. “Although the face of the Sphinx is somewhat mutilated, it still gives us a portrait of Khafre himself,” the scientist concludes

Interestingly, the body of Khafre himself was never discovered, and therefore statues are used to compare the Sphinx and the pharaoh. First of all we're talking about about a sculpture carved from black diorite, which is kept in the Cairo Museum - it is from this that the appearance of the Sphinx is verified.

To confirm or refute the identification of the Sphinx with Khafre, a group of independent researchers involved the famous New York police officer Frank Domingo, who created portraits to identify suspects.

After several months of work, Domingo concluded: “These two works of art depict two different persons. The frontal proportions - and especially the angles and facial projections when viewed from the side - convince me that the Sphinx is not Khafre."

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 in a secret place “ holy books”, which contain “the secrets of Osiris”, and then cast a spell on this place so that the knowledge would remain “undiscovered until Heaven gives 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.

Egypt is a country that is still shrouded in a lot of mysteries that attract tourists from all over the planet. Perhaps one of the most important secrets of this state is the great Sphinx, the statue of which is located in the Giza Valley. This is one of the most grandiose sculptures ever created by human hands. Its dimensions are truly impressive - the length is 72 meters, the height is approximately 20 meters, the face of the Sphinx itself is 5 meters long, and the nose that fell off, according to calculations, was the size of an average human height. Not a single photo can convey the full grandeur of this stunning ancient monument.

Today, the Great Sphinx in Giza no longer inspires sacred horror in a person - after excavations it was discovered that the statue was just “sitting” in a hole. However, for many centuries, her head, sticking out of the desert sand, inspired superstitious fear among desert Bedouins and local residents.

general information

The Egyptian Sphinx is located on the west coast of the Nile River, and its head faces the sunrise. For many thousands of years, the gaze of this silent witness to the history of the land of the Pharaohs has been directed to that point on the horizon where, on the days of the autumn and spring equinoxes, the sun begins its leisurely course.

The Sphinx itself is made of monolithic limestone, which is a fragment of the base of the Giza plateau. The statue represents a huge mysterious creature with the body of a lion and the head of a man. Many have probably seen this grandiose building in photographs in books and textbooks on the history of the Ancient World.

Cultural and historical significance of the structure

According to historians, in almost all ancient civilizations the lion was the personification of the sun and solar deity. In the drawings of the ancient Egyptians, the pharaoh was often depicted as a lion, attacking the enemies of the state and exterminating them. It was on the basis of these beliefs that the version was built that the great Sphinx is a kind of mystical guard protecting the peace of the rulers buried in the tombs of the Giza Valley.

It is still not known what the inhabitants of Ancient Egypt called the Sphinx. It is believed that the word "sphinx" itself has Greek origin and literally translates as “strangler.” In some Arabic texts, in particular in the famous collection “A Thousand and One Nights,” the Sphinx is called nothing less than “Father of Terror.” There is another opinion, according to which the ancient Egyptians called the statue “the image of being.” This once again confirms that the Sphinx was for them the earthly incarnation of one of the deities.

Story

Probably the most main mystery, which the Egyptian Sphinx conceals within itself - this is who, when and why erected such a grandiose monument. In the ancient papyri found by historians, one can find a lot of information about the construction and creators of the Great Pyramids and numerous temple complexes, but there is no mention of the Sphinx, its creator and the cost of its construction (and the ancient Egyptians were always very careful about the costs of this or that business). not in any source. The historian Pliny the Elder mentioned it for the first time in his writings, but this was already at the beginning of our era. He notes that the Sphinx, located in Egypt, has been reconstructed and cleaned of sand several times. It is precisely the fact that not a single source has yet been found that explains the origin of this monument, which has given rise to countless versions, opinions and guesses as to who built it and why.

The Great Sphinx fits perfectly into the complex of structures located on the Giza plateau. The creation of this complex dates back to the reign of the IV dynasty of kings. Actually, it itself includes the Great Pyramids and the statue of the Sphinx.

It is still impossible to say exactly how old this monument is. According to the official version, the Great Sphinx in Giza was erected during the reign of Pharaoh Khafre - approximately 2500 BC. In support of this hypothesis, historians point to the similarity of the limestone blocks used in the construction of the pyramid of Khafre and the Sphinx, as well as the image of the ruler himself, which was discovered not far from the building.

There is another, alternative version of the origin of the Sphinx, according to which its construction dates back to even more ancient times. A team of Egyptologists from Germany, who analyzed the erosion of the limestone, concluded that the monument was built around 7000 BC. There are also astronomical theories about the creation of the Sphinx, according to which its construction is associated with the constellation Orion and corresponds to 10,500 BC.

Restorations and the current state of the monument

The Great Sphinx, although it has survived to this day, is now badly damaged - neither time nor people have spared it. The face was especially damaged - in numerous photographs you can see that it is almost completely erased, and its features cannot be distinguished. The uraeus - a symbol of royal power, which is a cobra that wraps around its head - is irretrievably lost. The plat - the ceremonial headdress that descends from the head to the shoulders of the statue - is also partially destroyed. The beard, which is now not fully represented, has also suffered. But where and under what circumstances the Sphinx’s nose disappeared, scientists are still arguing.

Damage to the face of the Great Sphinx, located in Egypt, is very reminiscent of chisel marks. According to Egyptologists, in the 14th century it was mutilated by a pious sheikh who carried out the covenants of the Prophet Muhammad, which prohibited depicting a human face in works of art. And the Mamelukes used the head of the structure as a cannon target.

Today, in photos, videos and live, you can see how much the Great Sphinx has suffered from time and the cruelty of people. A small piece weighing 350 kg even broke off from it - this gives another reason to be amazed at the truly gigantic size of this structure.

Although only 700 years ago the face of the mysterious statue was described by a certain Arab traveler. His travel notes said that this face was truly beautiful, and his lips bore the majestic seal of the pharaohs.

Over the years of its existence, the Great Sphinx has more than once plunged up to its shoulders into the sands of the Sahara Desert. The first attempts to excavate the monument were made in ancient times by the pharaohs Thutmose IV and Ramses II. Under Thutmose, the Great Sphinx was not only completely dug out of the sand, but also a huge granite arrow was installed in its paws. An inscription was carved on it, saying that the ruler was giving his body under the protection of the Sphinx so that it would rest under the sands of the Giza Valley and at some point be resurrected in the guise of a new pharaoh.

During the time of Ramses II, the Great Sphinx of Giza was not only dug out of the sand, but also underwent a thorough restoration. In particular, the massive back part of the statue was replaced with blocks, although previously the entire monument was monolithic. IN early XIX century, archaeologists completely cleared the chest of the statue of sand, but it was completely freed from sand only in 1925. It was then that the true dimensions of this grandiose structure became known.

The Great Sphinx as a tourism object

The Great Sphinx, like the Great Pyramids, is located on the Giza plateau, 20 km from the capital of Egypt. This is a single complex of historical monuments of Ancient Egypt, which has survived to this day since the reign of the pharaohs from the IV dynasty. It consists of three large pyramids - Cheops, Khafre and Mikerin, and small pyramids of queens are also included here. Here tourists can visit various temple buildings. The Sphinx statue is located in the eastern part of this ancient complex.