English II
Courtney Coomer
Dan Combs
Nov. 19, 2010
English II
Courtney Coomer
Dan Combs
Nov. 19, 2010
History of the Amazing Sphinx
The sphinx has been on this earth since the fourth dynasty in Egypt the third millennium
BCE. No other sphinx in Egypt is as old or as large as the great sphinx it stands sixty-five feet
tall, twenty feet wide, and two-hundred-sixty feet long. The sphinx has several names but what
the Egyptians originally called the sphinx is unknown. It is a massive creature with the head of a
man and a body of a lion which is a symbol of strength and wisdom. (Spirit and Stone)
WHO BUILT IT?
The sphinx was believed to be built by the pharaoh Khafre and the face carved on the
sphinx is seen in his image although some have argued that the sphinx was built by Khafre’s
father Khufu (builder of the Great Pyramid of Giza), So in conclusion there is no absolute proof
of who actually built this amazing artifact. The word “built” is somewhat a misnomer. The great
sphinx was not actually built but carved from limestone bedrock on which it stands. Limestone
was moved from area to area so the surrounding blocks of limestone was used in other
construction around the Giza plateau. (History of the Great Sphinx)
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE NOSE OF THE SPHINX?
One of the most asked about artifacts of the sphinx is its missing nose. Many different theories
have been discussed to explain the disappearance one is that the nose was blown off by a cannon
that had been fired by one of Napoleon’s soldiers during the Egyptian Expedition. Another
theory is that the nose was blown off during target practice by Turkish Jassaries sometime during
when the Turks ruled over Egypt but of course evidence shows that the nose was blown off long
time before either time period occurred. One Egyptian historian by the name of al-Maqrizi says
the nose was destroyed by a “Sufi fanatic” with the name of Muhammad Sa’im al-Dahr furious
because of the life-like human face, one of the things that is forbidden by the Islam so he had
commanded for the nose to be removed sometime between the tenth and fifteenth century.
(History of the Great Sphinx)
EARLIER BELIEFS
Although there are no records explaining construction of the sphinx, there are also no
records of restoration. According to “Fingerprints of the Gods” it describes restoration of the
sphinx by Thutmosis IV of the eighteenth dynasty. “Sphinx Stella” a stone engraved inscription
says Thutmosis had become tired and slept in the shadow of the sphinx and he had a dream of
the sphinx coming to him asking him to remove the sand and restore the sculpture and he would
be rewarded double crown of Egypt . According to Manly Hall and Max Thoth’s book “Pyramid
Prophecies’.”
Not the sphinx but a god appeared to Thutmosis asking him to do the same.
(Spirit and Stone)
WAS THE SPHINX HERE IN THE TIME OF JESUS?
The sphinx goes way back to when the sphinx walked this earth in the “New Testament”
(King James) John in Revelation speaks of four sphinx like creatures he states “And the first
beats was like a lion, and the second beast was like a calf, and the third beast was like a man, and
the fourth beast was like a flying eagle (REV 4:6). The beasts are around the thrown of Elohim
which is reflected in the form of the great sphinx, so it appears that the great sphinx is a
reflection of what is in heaven. (Spirit and Stone)
MORE BELIEFS’
After twenty-five centuries history of the amazing sphinx was believed by many that it
had been placed in its position as guardian of the pyramids by the gods. Indeed the sphinx is an
outstanding artifact one even today may believe the sphinx was created by the supernatural.
There have been many rumors of passageways and secret chambers surrounding the sphinx
during restoration three tunnels have been rediscovered. Many scientists speculate they are a
result of many treasure hunting efforts. Studies made by Florida University, Waseda University
(Japan), And Boston University believe they are “anomalies” such as faults or changes over long
periods of time, but they would risk damaging the sphinx if they were to investigate what the
tunnels were actually used for. (Conservation of the Sphinx)
CONCLISION
Although buried for millennia, it is preserved by Egyptians. Even though it is one of the most
popular tourist attractions yet today you can only go so far to see the sphinx most of the artifact
is blocked off. The artifact is truly amazing and very enormous, many tourist still visit,
hopefully during the next millennium the sphinx will be open for everyone to enjoy the amazing
tunnels were many secrets are still guarded. The sphinx is such a famous, beautiful, outstanding
artifact and deserves to be shared around the world this “thing” The Great Sphinx is absolutely
amazing. (History of the sphinx)
Bibliography
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15 Nov. 2010.
<http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/19568/a_history_of_the_great_sphinx_of_giza.html>
HISTORY OF THE CONSERVATIONOF THE SPHINX." Guardian's Egypt Main Gate. Web. 15
Nov. 2010. <http://www.guardians.net/hawass/sphinx2.htm>.
"Uncovering Secrets of the Sphinx | History & Archaeology | Smithsonian Magazine." History, Travel,
Arts, Science, People, Places | Smithsonian Magazine. Web. 15 Nov. 2010.
<http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/Uncovering-Secrets-of-theSphinx.html>.
Giza Sphinx & Temples Page 3 - The Great Sphinx - Spirit & Stone." Earth. Web. 19 Nov.
2010.<http://www.theglobaleducationproject.org/egypt/articles/phototr3.php>.