The Great Sphinx of Giza, an ancient marvel that has stood watch over the Giza Plateau for over 4,000 years, remains one of the world’s most enigmatic and awe-inspiring architectural feats. Although much of its history has been buried alongside it in the sands of time, recent discoveries and ongoing debates continue to peel back layers of its storied past.
With a human head and a lion’s body, the Sphinx is a majestic limestone colossus that has captured the imagination of civilizations throughout the ages. It’s widely accepted that the Sphinx was built during Egypt’s Old Kingdom, under the reign of the fourth-dynasty pharaoh Khafre, around 2500 B.C. This places its construction parallel to the period when the iconic pyramids were erected nearby.
However, much about the Great Sphinx remains a subject of debate among experts. There are no explicit historical texts that connect the Sphinx definitively to Khafre. Yet, through archaeological detective work, clues such as the layout of nearby temples and the Sphinx’s orientation suggest a careful integration within Khafre’s monumental complex. Traces of pigments on the statue indicate it was once vividly painted, which aligns with descriptions from the Roman author Pliny the Elder, who reported that the Sphinx was colored red.
A longstanding legend told by the Arab historian Al-Maqrīzī asserts that the Sphinx’s missing nose was destroyed by a religious fanatic in the 14th century, contrary to the persistent myth that Napoleon Bonaparte’s troops were responsible. This detail points to the Sphinx’s continued significance and the complex relationship between the monument and those who lived in its shadow across millennia.
The mystery of the Sphinx extends even to controversies over its age. Some researchers, such as geologist Robert M. Schoch, argue for an even earlier origin, citing the pattern of erosion that they believe is indicative of exposure to heavy rainfall, dating back to a wet period that occurred approximately 7,000 to 10,000 years ago. However, these claims are considered speculative by many Egyptologists, who rely on the architectural and cultural context to date the Sphinx to the era of Khafre.
The Sphinx’s restoration history is as storied as its construction, with attempts to free it from the encroaching desert sands dating back to at least the time of Thutmose IV in the New Kingdom. A granite stele, known as the Dream Stele, was discovered between its paws, recounting a dream in which the Sphinx promised the throne to Thutmose if he cleared away the sands. The veracity of this dream is unknown, but it led to a resurgence of interest and the emergence of a cult centered around the Sphinx.
Modern excavations have unraveled some practical aspects of the Sphinx’s construction. Studies of the limestone layers, as well as the layout and artifacts found in nearby workers’ settlements, have provided insights into the labor and organization behind this ancient feat. The Sphinx Temple’s east-west axis, its pillars symbolizing hours, and the alignment with solar events suggest an elaborate plan to connect the Sphinx to celestial phenomena.
Relevant articles:
– Great Sphinx of Giza
– The Great Sphinx of Giza
– Uncovering Secrets of the Sphinx
– Dating the Sphinx