There has been a report about the discovery of another “Sphinx” in Egypt. This statue was unearthed in the Luxor province of Egypt and bears a striking resemblance to the famous Sphinx located near the Giza Pyramids in Cairo.
According to the reports, experts are cautious about excavating it from the ground, fearing that drastic climate changes could cause damage to the statue.
Today, let’s delve into the topic of the Sphinx. Its fame is unparalleled, and alongside the Egyptian pyramids, it is listed among the Seven Wonders of the World. When people think of the ancient civilization of Egypt, the pyramids and the Sphinx are the first images that come to mind.
However, this ancient statue has always been shrouded in mystery. Its enigmatic aura has become synonymous with Egypt’s legacy to the world.
Today, we will explore the unresolved mysteries surrounding the Sphinx. Could it hold the hidden secrets of the origins of human civilization?
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Not Just a Pharaoh’s Creation?
The Great Sphinx, a statue with the body of a lion and the face of a human, stands tall on the Giza Plateau in the southwest of Egypt’s capital, Cairo. Rising 20 meters high, comparable to the height of the White House, and measuring 72 meters long, equivalent to the size of a football field, this colossal sculpture, primarily carved from a single stone, is the largest statue in the world.
Despite its grandeur, the Great Sphinx doesn’t shine prominently among the ancient architectural ensemble on the Giza Plateau. Standing just 400 meters to the north is the world’s largest pyramid, the Great Pyramid of Khufu, towering at an impressive 146 meters. To the west, 400 meters away, is the second-largest pyramid, the Pyramid of Khafre, only three meters shorter than the Great Pyramid of Khufu.
It is generally believed that the Great Sphinx was built by the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Khafre from the Fourth Dynasty. According to legend, when Khafre came to inspect the progress of his own tomb construction, he noticed the protruding rock next to the pyramids and requested a statue carved in his likeness.
Symbol of Pharaohs
There is ample evidence to support the claim that the head of the Great Sphinx represents a pharaoh. The figure wears a headdress, a typical symbol of pharaohs, and is adorned with a sacred cobra on the head and a long beard hanging from the chin (both of which have since fallen off), which are iconic features of pharaohs.
As for the combination of a lion’s body and a human face, it can be easily explained. In ancient Egypt, the lion symbolized power and authority, and lion bones were often buried in pharaohs’ tombs. On the other hand, humans represented wisdom. The merging of these two figures embodies the image of a king or ruler.
Moreover, in Egyptian mythology, there are several depictions of hybrid creatures combining human and animal features. However, these figures are usually portrayed with human bodies and animal faces, such as the jackal-faced Anubis, the cat-faced Bastet, and the lion-faced war god Sekhmet.
The Great Sphinx, on the other hand, reverses the combination with a human face atop a lion’s body.
Greek Mythological Story – the Muse of Wisdom
The Great Sphinx is a Greek name, originates from a mythological story.
In Greek mythology, there was a monster born from a giant and a serpent, with a human head, lion’s body, and wings, known as the Sphinx. It had a cruel nature but learned many riddles from the Muse of Wisdom, Mnemosyne, and would often stand at crossroads challenging people to solve its riddles. Those who failed were devoured by the Sphinx.
A young man answered the Sphinx’s most difficult riddle: “What walks on four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs in the evening?” His clever response was “a human being.” The Sphinx then posed another riddle: “What is it that first goes on four legs, then on two, and finally on three?” The answer was “a shadow.” Ashamed, the Sphinx took its own life.
Guardian for the Pharaoh
Egypt’s Great Sphinx bears a resemblance to the Sphinx in ancient Greek mythology, and hence the name was adopted for this stone statue.
Clearly, if the owner of the pyramids is the same as the owner of the Great Sphinx, this statue is not a mythological character; rather, it is likely a guardian for the pharaoh’s tomb.
However, controversy regarding the origins of the Great Sphinx continues. Critics of the “guardian” theory question whether anyone would use their own statue to protect their tomb.
Furthermore, some scholars suggest that the Great Sphinx might predate the pyramids on the Giza Plateau. If that is the case, it would be even less plausible for it to serve as the guardian of the pharaoh’s tomb.
Additionally, scholars have noted the disproportionate ratio between the head and body of the Great Sphinx, leading to speculation that the “human face” might have been a later modification, originally being a lion’s head. If this were true, then a colossal lion statue must have existed here long before the construction of the pyramids, and later on, the lion face was replaced with a human face.
So, if this were the case, what is the true origin and lineage of this colossal lion?
The Enigma of Time: Built by a Prehistoric Civilization?
As previously mentioned, the general consensus is that the builder of the Sphinx, with the body of a lion and the face of a man, was the fourth-generation pharaoh Khafre, approximately 4,500 years ago. This is easily understandable, considering the ancient Egyptian pharaohs’ ability to construct massive pyramids and therefore, the capability to build such a stone statue. The amount of manpower, resources, and time required was of no concern to them.
10,000 years History, Before Human Born
However, some scientists believe that the construction of the Sphinx might have taken place even earlier, around 7,000 or even 9,000 years ago. During that time, the woolly mammoths were still alive, and humans were in the Neolithic period.
There are also scholars who suggest that the age of the Sphinx could be much older, predating 10,000 years ago or even 800,000 years ago. This would mean that it existed before the emergence of human civilization!
Water Erosion of 10,000 years ago
The argument for an earlier time period is supported by the research of American scholars who discovered clear signs of water erosion on the body of the Sphinx, despite it being situated on the high cliffs of the Giza Plateau. This indicates that the Sphinx might have experienced flooding during its construction or after its completion.
However, studies conducted by meteorologists on the meteorological history of the Sahara region indicate that the area has been affected by large-scale flooding from the sea and the Nile River in the distant past, with the last major flood occurring around 10,000 BC. During the time of Khafre’s construction of the pyramids and afterward, Egypt’s climate was already very dry, making it impossible for water inundation to occur. This suggests that the construction of the Sphinx predates that of the pyramids.
Furthermore, other researchers have studied the erosion marks on the body of the Sphinx and concluded that these grooves were not caused by wind and sand erosion as traditionally believed but rather by the action of flowing water.
Unlikely to Undergo Wind & Sand Erosion
Indeed, the Sphinx was built in the desert and was mostly buried under sand and rocks, with only its head exposed. When Napoleon conquered Egypt in 1798, he arrived at the site, and the neck and body of the statue were buried in the sand. It was not until later, in 1817, that gradual excavation began, and it was fully uncovered by 1926.
Considering this, the time during which the Sphinx was completely exposed to wind and sand erosion was relatively short.
Two scholars from the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine also challenge the “wind erosion theory” and propose a more challenging theory during an international archaeological conference: the Sphinx might have a history of 800,000 years!
They believe that the erosion patterns on the Sphinx are similar to those caused by seawater erosion in coastal areas. And according to geological records, from the early Quaternary (Pleistocene) to the Holocene, there was a long-standing freshwater lake in this region. The erosion marks on the Sphinx correspond to the early Pleistocene groundwater levels.
This implies that the stone statue was already standing on the Giza Plateau during that time, which was 800,000 years ago!
Is it a Monument or a Gateway to Soul Rebirth?
The mystery surrounding the origins of the Sphinx, with its lion’s body and human face, has given rise to questions about its purpose. According to popular belief, since it is located next to the pyramids and is estimated to be of the same era, it is generally regarded as a monument.
Recreate the Face of the Sphinx
Modern researchers have utilized optical data and computer imaging techniques to recreate the face of the Sphinx. Upon comparison, it bears a striking resemblance to the facial features of ancient Egyptians, leading to the belief that it represents the face of Pharaoh Khafre.
However, just like other ancient structures such as the pyramids and Stonehenge, which are believed to have astronomical significance, scholars have suggested that the Sphinx also holds astronomical meaning.
Scholars have discovered that the layout of the pyramids, the Sphinx, and the adjacent Temple of the Sphinx all possess astronomical symbolism.
The 24 pillars
The Sphinx is located 400 meters south of the Great Pyramid of Khufu and 400 meters east of the Pyramid of Khafre. The Temple of the Sphinx is situated directly in front of the Sphinx and is enclosed by 24 colossal pillars.
These 24 pillars are symmetrically aligned along an east-west axis, with a pair of small shrines also located on this axis. Swiss archaeologists studying the Temple of the Sphinx found that this east-west axis aligns precisely with the direction of sunrise and sunset during the equinoxes.
On the days of the spring and autumn equinoxes, sunlight travels along this axis, passing through the right shoulder of the Sphinx and reaching the northern side of the Pyramid of Khafre.
If you were to stand directly east of the temple during this time of the evening, following the axis, you would witness the sun setting between the two pyramids, disappearing beyond the western side of the Pyramid of Khafre.
Resurrection of the Pharaoh’s Soul?
In ancient Egyptian mythology, there is a twin lion deity named “Ruti” who carries the sun on its journey, symbolizing the cycle of life and rebirth from today to tomorrow, from the past to the future. Perhaps the creators of the stone statue drew inspiration from this myth, envisioning the Sphinx as the guardian of the sun’s path, ensuring the safe passage of the pharaoh’s soul to the afterlife.
Alternatively, it is possible that the designers and builders arranged the positioning of the pyramids, the Sphinx, and the temple based on the movements of the sun, harnessing the power of the sun and the gods to facilitate the resurrection of the pharaoh’s soul!
The Irreparable Damage
The iconic Sphinx, known for its majestic lion body and human face, has suffered severe damage to its body and face over the years. Particularly the face, where the once vibrant colors have faded away, and the raised relief of the sacred cobra on the forehead and the long beard under the chin have fallen off. Most strikingly, the nose of the statue has also been decayed.
Mystery of the Sphinx’s Damaged Nose
There are various theories surrounding the destruction of the Sphinx’s nose. One theory suggests that during the construction of the pyramids, there was a rebellion by the labor force, and they took out their frustrations on the Sphinx, damaging the statue. Others believe that throughout Egypt’s history, different regimes ruled the land, and the nose of the Sphinx was destroyed by opposition groups or followers of other religions.
Another popular folk belief is that Napoleon was responsible for the damage. According to this theory, when Napoleon conquered Egypt, the nation bowed down to him, but the Sphinx stood defiantly, facing the East as if in protest. Out of anger, Napoleon ordered cannons to be fired at the statue, resulting in the destruction of its nose.
However, historians have debunked this theory, as Napoleon was not merely a military man but someone who held great respect for science, history, and culture. He famously said, “Let the scholar be placed among the soldiers.” When he led an expedition to Egypt in 1798, he brought along a group of nearly 200 scholars to study and research Egypt’s history and culture.
The Natural Decay of a Time-Worn Monument
After all, every material has a lifespan, and over thousands of years, the Sphinx has become marked by the passage of time. Moreover, the sedimentary rock used to carve the statue is relatively soft compared to the hard stones used for building the pyramids. Therefore, it is highly likely that the decay of the nose occurred naturally.
Preservation Efforts throughout History: The Sphinx has endured various forms of damage and protection throughout its long history. During World War II, to prevent damage from the sounds of nearby artillery, a high wall was built beneath its chin.
However, the statue has aged significantly, bearing multiple ailments and wounds. The neck and chest are particularly damaged, with the outer layers constantly peeling off. In October 1981, the left hind leg of the statue collapsed, leaving behind a large hole measuring 2 meters wide and 3 meters long. In February 1988, two massive stones weighing up to 2,000 kilograms fell from the left shoulder of the statue.
These incidents caught the attention of the Egyptian government and experts in the field of cultural heritage worldwide. There was growing concern that the colossal head might suddenly detach one day. Experts have tried various methods to cure its ailments, such as applying limestone similar to the original stone, but with limited success.
Post-World War II, attempts were made to inject barium hydroxide solution into the neck of the Sphinx in the hope of creating a stronger substance through a chemical reaction with calcium carbonate. However, the treated areas continued to peel off. Consequently, many people oppose any further uncertain experiments on this priceless treasure.
The Quest for Better Protection
Nevertheless, the search for better preservation methods continues through exploration and research.
As one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Egyptian pyramids and the Sphinx carry the founding codes of human civilization. They have witnessed the rise and fall, glory and shame of humanity, holding a wealth of historical and cultural information. They patiently await the interpretation and enlightenment of present and future generations.
External Reference
- THE TRUTH BEHIND THE SPHINX SCARED ARCHAEOLOGISTS
- What are the head secrets of the Great Sphinx of Giza?
- Uncovering Secrets of the Sphinx
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