The Sphinx

The Sphinx is located on the Giza Plateau with the three pyramids of Khufu, Khafra, and Men-kaur-re. With its monumental proportions, lion’s body, and human facial features, the Sphinx provides an unexpected naturalistic contrast to the geometric shapes of the pyramids. It is 241 feet in length and reaches 65 feet in height. The Sphinx was carved out of a natural outcropping of rock around the time of the construction of the Pyramid of Khafra [Chephren; c.2555-2532 B.C.E.] The features are thought to be those of King Khafra wearing the royal nemes headdress. The uraeus (rearing cobra) which originally sat on the king’s forehead is now lost, but fragments of his beard, which was added during the New Kingdom, are in the Cairo Museum.

Between the forelegs of the Sphinx and in front of his chest, is the "Dream" Stela of Thutmose IV (c.1400-1390 B.C.E.). This granite stela dates from the first year of Thutmose’s reign and recounts a dream from his early years in which the Sphinx promised him kingship. In return, Thutmose would clear the sand from around the body of the Sphinx.

Despite popular opinion, Napoleon did not shoot the nose off the Sphinx in 1799. The final picture is from Frederick Norden, Travels in Egypt and Nubia (1757). Since Napoleon was born in 1769 it would have been rather difficult for him to do the deed. Experts do not know what happened to the nose of the Sphinx, though there was a legend predating Napoleon that it was shot off by the Turks. Most likely it was damaged by time.