The Great Sphinx

Known in Arabic as Abu al-Hol (Father of Terror), the feline man was dubbed the Sphinx by the ancient Greeks because it resembled the mythical winged monster with a woman’s head and lion’s body who set riddles and killed anyone unable to answer them.

 

The Sphinx was carved from the bedrock at the bottom of the causeway to the Pyramid of Khafre; geological survey has shown that it was most likely carved during this pharaoh’s reign, so it probably portrays his features, framed by the nemes (striped headcloth worn by royalty).

 

The nose was hammered off sometime between the 11th and 15th centuries, although some still like to blame Napoleon for the deed. These days the Sphinx has potentially greater problems: the monument is suffering the stone equivalent of cancer and is being eaten away from the inside; pollution and rising groundwater are the most likely causes. A succession of restoration attempts unfortunately sped up the decay rather than halting it. The Sphinx’ shiny white paws are the result of the most recent effort.

 

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