Great Sphinx of Giza

"The Sphinx" redirects here. For other uses, see The Sphinx (disambiguation).

Great Sphinx of Giza
Great Sphinx of Giza is located in Egypt
Great Sphinx of Giza
Shown within Egypt
LocationGiza, Egypt
RegionEgypt
Coordinates29°58′31″N 31°08′16″E / 29.97528°N 31.13778°E / 29.97528; 31.13778
Length73 metres (240 ft)
Width19 metres (62 ft)
Height20 metres (66 ft)
History
MaterialLimestone
Site notes
ConditionPartially restored

The Great Sphinx of Giza is a limestone statue of a reclining sphinx, a mythical creature with the head of a human and the body of a lion.[1] Facing directly from west to east, it stands on the Giza Plateau on the west bank of the Nile in Giza, Egypt. The face of the Sphinx appears to represent the pharaoh Khafre.[2] The original shape of the Sphinx was cut from bedrock, and has since been restored with layers of limestone blocks.[3] It measures 73 m (240 ft) long from paw to tail, 20 m (66 ft) high from the base to the top of the head and 19 m (62 ft) wide at its rear haunches.[4]

The Sphinx is the oldest known monumental sculpture in Egypt and one of the most recognizable statues in the world. The archaeological evidence suggests that it was created by ancient Egyptians of the Old Kingdom during the reign of Khafre (c. 2558–2532 BC).[5][6][7]

The circumstances surrounding the Sphinx's nose being broken off are uncertain, but close inspection suggests a deliberate act using rods or chisels.[8] Contrary to a popular myth, it was not broken off by cannonfire from Napoleon's troops during his 1798 Egyptian campaign. Its absence is in fact depicted in artwork predating Napoleon and referred to in descriptions by the 15th-century historian al-Maqrīzī.[9][10]

  1. ^ "The Great Sphinx of Giza". Ancient History Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  2. ^ Sims, Lesley (2000). "The Great Pyramids". A Visitor's Guide to Ancient Egypt. Saffron Hill, London: Usborne Publishing. p. 17. ISBN 0-7460-30673.
  3. ^ "Saving the Sphinx – NOVA | PBS". pbs.org. January 2010. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  4. ^ Rigano, Charles (2014). Pyramids of the Giza Plateau. Author House. p. 148. ISBN 9781496952493.
  5. ^ "Sphinx Project « Ancient Egypt Research Associates". 10 September 2009. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  6. ^ Dunford, Jane; Fletcher, Joann; French, Carole (ed., 2007). Egypt: Eyewitness Travel Guide Archived 2009-02-18 at the Wayback Machine. London: Dorling Kindersley, 2007. ISBN 978-0-7566-2875-8.
  7. ^ Lehner 1991.
  8. ^ Lehner, Mark (1997). The Complete Pyramids: Solving the Ancient Mysteries. Thames and Hudson. p. 11. ISBN 9780500050842.
  9. ^ Journeys, Smithsonian. "What happened to the Sphinx's nose?". www.smithsonianjourneys.org. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  10. ^ "The Sphinx's Nose". www.catchpenny.org. Retrieved 23 January 2023.