The Sphinx

Another riddle lies close to the Great Pyramid: the Sphinx. Shaped from the local bedrock, this lion-bodied, man-faced statue is some 30 meters high and 80 meters long.

The sphinx is an ancient Egyptian symbol, that in different guises can be found in various parts of Egypt, sometimes with a ram's head, sometimes with a crocodile's tail, but always as a protector. Common theory holds that the Sphinx was given the face of pharaoh Chephren. The same theory suggests all of it was build (or better carved) at that time.

In ancient time a small temple was placed between the paws of the Sphinx housing a statue of "Horus-of-the-Horizon," however this is long lost.

Even in the old times the statue was forgotten and covered with the roving desert sand until a young prince rested nearby and had a dream. In it the sphinx promised him that he would become Pharaoh if he uncovered the statue.

Soon after Thutmose IV ascended the throne and had the Sphinx cleaned. Of course some people believe he made up this story to cover up the murder of his elder brother.

Modern exploration methods have located several possible rooms and corridors around and beneath the statue, however, the Ministry of Antiquities in Cairo has not given permission, yet, to explore these.

When I saw the Sphinx years ago, I wondered about the weathering on the Sphinx' body which looked as if it was caused by running water. Several months later I saw a documentary where scientist were wondering about the same thing. The calculated erosion rates, analysed the ancient climates, aligned the Sphinx with ancient star maps and the equinox spot and...lo and behold, the only date that would make sense for the sphinx' age is...about 10,000 years ago.