In ancient Egypt, a sphinx was a statue that represented a
deity, or god. It had the body of a lion and the head of either another animal or a man,
often the portrait of a king. The most famous Egyptian sphinx is the Great Sphinx of
Khafre at Gîza. Built circa 2500 BC, this sphinx is about 66 feet high and 240 feet long.
For more information on the Great Sphinx of Khafre, visit:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/pyramid/explore/sphinx.html
For information on the erosion of the Great Sphinx of Khafre,
visit:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Delphi/3499/sphinx.htm
For a picture of the Avenue of the Sphinxes, visit:
http://www.memphis.edu/egypt/img0020.htm
Bibliography
1.Roberts, David. "Age of Pyramids," National Geographic, January 1995, pages
2-43
2.Weeks, Kent R. "Valley of the Kings," National Geographic, September 1998,
pages 5-33
3."Architecture: Egypt," Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia, vol. 2, pages
270-271 (USA: Funk &
Wagnalls, Inc., 1983)
4."Egyptian Art and Architecture," Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia, vol. 9,
pages 106-116 (USA: Funk
& Wagnalls, Inc., 1983)
5."Pyramids," Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia, vol. 21, pages 444-445 (USA:
Funk & Wagnalls, Inc.,
1983)
6."Sculpture: Egyptian Sculpture," Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia, vol.
23, pages 247-249 (USA: Funk
& Wagnalls, Inc., 1983)
7."Sphinx," Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia, vol. 24, page 268 (USA: Funk
& Wagnalls, Inc., 1983)
8.Microsoft, "Temple (building): Egyptian and Mesopotamian Temples," Microsoft
Encarta 98 Encyclopedia
Deluxe Edition (CD-ROM). 1997
