Friday, June 16, 2006

The Nose Knows



It seems that I have given some incorrect information about the Sphinx's nose being in the possession of the British Museum in London. Our guide told us that, but it is, in fact, the Sphinx's beard in the British museum - parts of it anyway. My apologies.

In order to make up for it, I thought I'd tell you some more about the very interesting Sphinx. It's nose, from the marks left on its face, was intentionally chiseled off (not used for target practice by Napoleon), possibly by a Muslim zealot who thought it an idol. Due to an inscription inside the great pyramid some argue that the Sphinx pre-dates Stonehenge, and that the pyramids were actually built around it. Some think its face was that of the Pharoah Khafre, but compared with other statues of Khafre, it seems different. So who is it? There are tunnels around the sphinx, indicating it was there BEFORE the pyramids. There are also chambers inside of the Sphinx, but they don't seem to have been burial chambers for the kings.

It was buried up to its neck in the sands of the desert, which could account for why the face has suffered more erosion than the body.

Why it was built and whomever it was built by - it's seen the sands of time (literally and figuratively) come and go. It's fascinating. And I can't believe I've stood at the base of it, just like Ceasar and Napolean. Cool :)

It was carved where it sits, out of the stone quarry that surrounds it.


Thus endeth the lesson. :)

6 comments:

Heather said...

It's amazing how people bulid these things so long ago and yet they are still standing- more or less intact

MaR said...

thanks for a nice history lesson. Must be awsome to stand next to so many thousands of years of history (breathtaking!)

Wystful1 said...

Amazing and interesting stuff you've shared with us...I'm so enjoying you being our tour guide!! (Fabulous photos too)

Amy said...

Seeing as this is the closest I will ever get to knowing/seeing these things, I am enjoying my tour :-) It is just so amazing!

Shannon said...

*Dorothy living vicariously* What a ride!

Jim McKee said...

I had actually heard that Nazi pilots had used it for target practice during World War II -- thanks for the real scoop. (And I've actually seen it in person, too.)