Sphinx in Egypt: secrets, riddles and scientific facts. Great Sphinx

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 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

Sphinx - majestic tireless guardian 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 incommensurable 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 Amon. 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:

Some scriptures say that the predator is the child of the union of Typhon and Echidna.
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.

Monument Egyptian Sphinx- one of the popular tourist places, 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 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:

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.
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.
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. Restorations were 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:

Excavations of the plateau around the statue revealed that the builders of this gigantic monument left the work site quickly after completion of construction. There are remains of mercenaries' belongings, tools and household items everywhere.
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.
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.
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.
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 is this mythical creature the Egyptians made theirs their main symbol - a riddle of antiquity that is impossible to solve. We are left with only guesses.

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 - 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 Amun);
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 French Emperor in vain they are 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 before taxes were collected. 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.

Majestic monument Ancient world has not yet revealed all his mysteries to us, so his research continues.

Restoration and protection

We learned what the Sphinx is, what role it played in the worldview 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. Attempts were then made in early XIX and XX 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 western bank of the Nile, next to Egyptian pyramids in Giza.

Almost everything related to the Egyptian Sphinx is controversial among scientists. Still unknown exact date the origin of this sculpture 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

Ancient Egyptian papyri and wall inscriptions contain intriguing data about certain hidden rooms - the Hall of Records and the Chamber of Archives. In this regard, scientists are of particular interest the secret of the Sphinx - a room discovered under the stone claws of a majestic monument.

Back in 1978, American researchers arrived in Giza and received permission to drill deep wells under the monument. In the process of work, they used drilling equipment, which was placed in the temple of the Sphinx directly in front of the sculpture. As a result, the first well drilled turned out to be empty, in the second, scientists saw only holes formed naturally when dissolving limestone. Alas, the measures taken were not enough, the secret of the Sphinx was not revealed, and research stopped.

Years later, luck smiled on a group of Japanese scientists who, in 1989, discovered a narrow tunnel under the left paw of the Sphinx leading to the Pyramid of Khafre. But first, the Japanese worked hard. Without keeping track of time, they searched persistently and carefully. Some even had their watches stopped. By the way, a watch repair in Moscow service for quick repairs of all types of watch mechanisms would be useful here.

So, the team still managed to make a discovery; they found signs outside that pointed to a tunnel located south of the pyramid, under the sculpture. In the same year, the secret of the Sphinx was partially revealed to geophysicist Thomas Dobecki, who organized seismic exploration. His findings also confirmed the fact that under the paws of the Sphinx there is a large rectangular chamber, 9 m wide and 10 m long. However, for unknown reasons, work on studying the underground room was abruptly stopped. The country's government has prohibited any research around the historical complex.

Why? One can only guess. It is quite possible that the secret of the Sphinx has already been revealed by influential people, but no one wants to share the secrets with scientists. All this further fuels the curiosity of researchers from different parts of the world.

Some believe that this room contains evidence of existence on Earth ancient civilization who created the figure of the Sphinx. If this is so, then one can imagine what an excellent level of skill the ancient people possessed.

Riddle of the Sphinx

The riddle of the Sphinx is a mysterious expression in itself. Not everyone will immediately remember who the Sphinx is. Secondly, why is there some kind of mystery associated with this very creature?

IN Greek mythology WITH finx- this is a monster with woman's face, a lion's body and large bird wings. According to legend sphinx was located near the gates of the Greek city of Thebes and asked everyone passing by the same riddle - “Who walks on four legs in the morning, two in the afternoon, and three in the evening?” Anyone who did not guess the riddle of the Sphinx would face a terrible death in the clutches of a monster.

The son of the mayor of Thebes, Oedipus, finally guessed the riddle of the Sphinx. " Small child crawls on all fours, an adult walks on two legs, and the old man also leans on a stick.”

Shocked that his riddle had been solved, the sphinx, in frustration, fell down the cliff and crashed to his death on the rocks.

By the way, the expression riddle of the sphinx has nothing to do with the Egyptian sphinx. whose image is familiar to everyone from history textbooks and tourist brochures about Egypt. Although the Egyptian sphinx has such a mysterious facial expression and gaze directed into eternity that one might think that he is hiding some kind of universal riddle from humanity.

Riddles and secrets of history

The riddle of the Sphinx excites many people. the secret of the Sphinx about its age and mystical purpose about its connection with ancient civilizations. at all times people have wondered

the same questions as in the present time and even in ancient times. he guards the pyramids day and night, keeping their secret. This ancient monument, preserved to this day, stands and attracts people with its unknownness, although time has spared it a little, but due to the pollution of our planet and man himself, it is slowly being destroyed, the dry climate and sand saved it from complete destruction. Over the centuries, they have tried to reconstruct it many times. The first mention of him began in 1400 BC, when the pharaoh of the fourth dynasty Thutmose ruled. After a hunt, the pharaoh went to sleep in the shadow of the sphinx, and he told him in a dream that he was suffocating from the sand that had completely enveloped him, and if he would free him from the sands that swallowed him completely, then Thutmose will receive the crown of Lower and Upper Egypt, and between the paws of this huge megalith there is a granite stele in which it is written about the pharaoh’s dream. Although Thutmose cleared the statue, and the small mystery of the sphinx was revealed; its size, its majesty, how many centuries it slumbered in the sand, only the gods know, but soon the sand was enveloped and the mystery of the sphinx went down into the centuries. In 1798, when Napoleon was in Egypt, the Sphinx no longer had a nose, there is a legend that a cannonball hit the nose and it flew off and was also knocked down by a Sufi with a chisel, he believed that the statue was a pagan idol. The mystery of the Sphinx has not been completely solved, but basically most Egyptologists are of the opinion that this sculpture belongs to Khafre - the pharaoh of the fourth dynasty, a stone sculpture carved from limestone, the body of a lion, and the face of Pharaoh Khafre, at the same time the pyramid of Khafre was built approximately, but not There was no inscription mentioning what he built.

One detective from New York came to the unequivocal conclusion that the Great Sphinx is not like Khafre, but more like his older brother Djedefre. Edgard Cayce predicted that there is a secret place under the paws, it contains the secret library of Atlantis. It is interesting that the face is not proportional to the body of the lion, most likely it was altered many times for each pharaoh, but initially the face looked like some kind of animal - a lion, a falcon, a ram - it is quite possible that this secret of history is not known. An interesting secret of the Sphinx is its age, there is erosion on it, well, it could only have happened during extensive, massive rains, well, such a climate in Egypt was only 7000-10,000 years ago, which means that it is at least 7000 thousand years old, this theory was put forward by Robert Schoch . Another interesting theory is that the Sphinx and the pyramids represent something like a star map and it is associated with Orion’s belt, and for the time of 10,500 BC this map corresponded to this hypothesis regarding the location of the stars and was put forward by Robert Bauvel. No matter how many theories, hypotheses, assumptions are put forward, well, the mystery of the Sphinx, everything in human understanding will personify some kind of unattainable secret, well, the riddle of the Sphinx, both in our times and in the future, will gain more and more momentum.

Great Sphinx- a giant lion with a human face, carved from a rock, reaches a height of 21 meters and a length of about 73 meters.

The Great Sphinx, like the Great Pyramids, was built by the Semitic tribes that conquered Egypt. The evidence for this is so simple and obvious that I don’t understand why scientists who have been studying the history of Egypt for hundreds of years have not yet paid attention to this.

Word " sphinx" V Egyptian language etymologically related to the word “seshep-ankh”, which in literal translation in Russian means “image of Being.” Another well-known translation of this word is “image of the Living One.” Both of these expressions have the same semantic content - “the image of the living God.”

In Greek, the word "sphinx" is etymologically associated with the Greek verb "sphinga" - to strangle. The Egyptians call the Great Sphinx the “Father of Terror and Fear”, and for this there are good reasons. Firstly. In ancient Egypt, hollow statues of giant sphinxes served as places of mass executions, torture and hangings, and possibly cruel ritual sacrifices.

Let's just make a small attempt to open the curtain ancient history Egypt. Official history teaches us this. The beginning of the history of Ancient Egypt is estimated at 4000-5000 thousand years BC. All the pyramids, the Sphinx, the Temple of Osiris, were built by the Egyptians themselves. Until now, no one has given an intelligible answer to the question: How was it possible, with only primitive tools, to build monuments weighing sometimes up to 1000 tons?

Sources: objective-news.ru, esperanto-plus.ru, istorii-x.ru, www.abc-people.com, batex2010.narod.ru

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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.