The Great Sphinx of Giza is a statue, which is part of the Giza plateau. With its powerful figure, it served as the guardian of the pyramid of King Khafre and the entire necropolis.
Where is the Great Sphinx of Giza located?
As its name suggests, it is located on the Giza plateau (outside Cairo), along with the famous pyramids that are the only surviving of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. According to the Greek word sphinx (sphinx), means to squeeze.
The figure of the sphinx denotes a human head, a symbol of sovereignty and intelligence, with a prominent lion body symbol of the sun and strength. Thus creating a powerful figure.
Who built it?
After years of research and several geological studies, it has been said that the pharaohs have sent large groups of people to build these huge pyramids along with the sphinx. Exactly, it is attributed this construction during the reign of Kephren who was a pharaoh in the fourth dynasty around 2,500 BC, he was the son of Cheops and father of Micerios, to whom the other two pyramids were dedicated.
The facial features of the sphinx are likely typical of Chephren, framed by the nemes (striped headdress reserved only for royalty). To this pharaoh is also attributed the construction of the pyramid and the Temple of the Valley (funerary temple attached to a processional road and goes from the pyramid to the temple) that bear his name.
Why was it built?
Because funerary complexes were built around the pyramids, the Sphinx was built as part of these, as well as the pyramids. The Sphinx, at that time, served as the guardian of the pyramid of King Chephren.
As for the physical characteristics of the sphinx, as in other typical monuments of the early dynasties, the size of both the head and the body do not match the normal size, the head is much larger in proportion to the body, and the circumference of the face of the sphinx also has a larger size than the proportion that would be normal.
According to the accounts of early Arab travelers, the Sphinx’s nose was removed between the eleventh and fifteenth centuries, although some still attribute this event to Napoleon. As for the part of the beard that came off, it was transported by 19th-century adventurers and is now on display in the British Museum in London.
How was the Sphinx of Giza built?
The Sphinx of Giza is carved from natural limestone from the Giza plateau known as the Mokkatam formation. This limestone rock was formed over millions of years, the carbonate mud petrified into the various layers of limestone rock from which the sphinx was built over 4,500 years ago (about 2603 BC).
The sphinx is approximately 20 meters high, 73 meters long and its face is over 5 meters. Its lion-shaped head, which represents the pharaoh Kephren, was elaborately decorated with brightly colored paint used at that time, although today and due to the passage of time and the remarkable deterioration of the sphinx are no longer visible. The body and face were red, the nemes also known as pharaonic headdress (the one that covers the head), were decorated with yellow and blue stripes.
Thanks to the fact that the sphinx was buried under the sand for a long period, its body has been preserved despite the years. Although the deterioration it has had in recent times has been due to pollution and rising groundwater.
Some geologists have come to determine that the sphinx consists of 3 different types of stone, and this can be seen in that the head is the best-preserved and its type of stone is firmer and harder, thus achieving less deterioration.
In recent years, the Sphinx has undergone several restorations by various archaeological groups in their efforts to preserve this piece, one of the most famous relics of ancient Egypt.
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