Egyptian Sphinx -
Sphinx Egypt - Egypt Sphinx
Most people first associate "sphinx" to the
Great Sphinx of Egypt, which was 'rediscovered' by the western world
when Napoleon's soldiers came across it in 1798. However, there are
other sphinxes in Egypt as well as in other cultures and myth (see Greek
and Mars links below). In 1854 Layard wrote in Discoveries at Nineveh
(Assyria) of his excavation of two alabaster sphinxes at a palace
entrance. These sphinxes, about 5'x5' (1.5m), were winged, beardless,
and had ornamental caps. Layard believed they may have been altars.
In Egypt alone there are enough
sphinxes that they have been categorized by type: crisophinx (lion body
with ram head), hierocosphinx (lion body with hawk head), and
androsphinx (lion body with human head, like the Great Sphinx). Viewed
as protectors and guardians, the lesser sphinxes are often seen at
temple entrances. Rows of sphinx statues can be found at Luxor and
Kamak, and new statues are still being found. Since 1994 Jean Yvestely made from
blocks of limestone.
As many of the ancient marvels, the
Sphinx has suffered the ravages of time, man and modern pollution. The
rearing cobra headpiece (uraeus) that sat on the king's forehead is
lost, the nose is damaged (though contrary to popular it was lost prior
to the arrival of Napoleon's army), and the beard now consists of only
museum fragments. The Great Sphinx has fallen to disrepair and been
mostly covered by sand many times. Records indicate as early as 1400
B.C.E. Thutmose IV cleared sand covering the Sphinx. Most recently,
after at least four clearings since 1800, a massive and expensive
restoration and preservation project has been underway from 1950 to the
present. Early on in this project, regular cement was used for repairs
which was incompatible with the limestone, and actually caused
additional damage.
There is some speculation that the
Sphinx may have started as a yardang. According to this theory, a
limestone outcrop which perhaps already suggested a head or face was
carved with no body. The head would have appeared to stand on the ground
much like the states of Easter Island. Much later, perhaps following
major climate changes, the excavation took place which formed the body
as we know it today. If this theory has merit, the origins of the Sphinx
(although not as a sphinx) could be very ancient indeed
Who Does the Sphinx Represent
Egyptologists have long believed that
the head of the Great Sphinx was intended to be a likeness of the
pharaoh Khafre because of the proposed dates of its construction, the
use of the royal headpiece and its physical relationship to Khafre's
pyramid.
However, in 1996, a NY detective and
expert in identification, took various measurements of the size, angles
and proportions of the head and concluded that it did not match known
representations of Khafre's face. There was a greater resemblance to
Khafre's elder brother Djedefre, however the lack of any records
regarding the head leaves us in a bit of a quandary. It is possible, but
not likely, that the Great Sphinx was given a generic royal head.
Guardian's Sphinx site (links below) has a facial comparison showing the
Sphinx, Khafre and Djedefre, though comparison is difficult without
seeing several angles in detail.
You can tell by examining some of
the photographs that the head of the Great Sphinx is relatively small in
relation to the lion body, which is otherwise in correct proportion.
Possible explanations could be that the head has been re-carved one or
more times since the first image was constructed. A subsequent pharaoh,
or pharaohs, may have preferred to see his own likeness, or perhaps the
original head was that of a ram or hawk and the shape left insufficient
material for an accurate facial rendering without reducing the size of
the head even further. Repairing damage to the head over thousands of
years might have necessitated reducing or altering facial proportions.
All this could account for the small size of the head in relation to the
body, particularly if the Great Sphinx is older than traditionally
believed.
Mystical Connections
While
the Sphinx has always been a wonder, and certainly a mystery in modern
times, its "mystical connections" probably began in the 1940's with the
American psychic and prophet Edgar Cayce. In a trance he predicted that
a chamber would be found under the front paws of the Sphinx which would
contain a library of records originating with the survivors of the
destruction of Atlantis. While this may sound far-fetched, intriguing
bits of evidence have emerged.
Workers restoring the Sphinx located a
doorway in its side. Old photographs show that this door was at least
partially open at one time. The full extent of this opening have not
been explored.
In 1995 workers renovating a parking
lot near the Sphinx uncovered a series of tunnels and pathways, two of
which dip further underground near the Sphinx. Bauval believes these are
ancient and probably contemporaneous with the Sphinx itself.
While examining evidence of erosion,
West's team used a seismograph around the Sphinx. They found evidence of
hollow, regularly shaped spaces or chambers a few meters below ground
between the paws and to either side of the Sphinx. To date, no further
examination has been allowed.
It is very possible there are chambers
under or near the Sphinx. Certainly the fantastic discoveries have not
come to an end. Witness Kent Weeks' discovery of KV5 in 1989. As
excavation has continued to the present, the largest and most elaborate
tomb in the Valley of the Kings has been revealed, believed built by
Ramses II as a tomb for his sons.
