What has happened the past several
thousand years
From the
north side, the profile of the sphinx reveals the proportion of the body
to the head. It would appear as though the head is small to the proportion
of the body.
The Sphinx
has been buried several times over the past several thousand years because
of the changing desert terrain. Most recently in 1905, the sand has
been cleared away to expose the magnitude and beauty of the entirety of
the Sphinx.
The paws
themselves are 50 feet long (15 m) while the entire length is 150 feet
(45 m). The head is 30 feet long (30 m) and 14 feet (4 m) wide. Erosion
that has the original of the carved figure, because certain layers
of the stone are softer than others.
A popular theory
The most
popular and current theory of the builder of the Sphinx, holds that it
was commissioned by the 4th Dynasty King, Khafre (25582532 BCE).
Khafre was one of the sons of Khufu (AKA Cheops). The Sphinx lines
up with the Pyramid of Khafre at the foot of its causeway. As one
rounds to the northeast corner to the front of the Sphinx, the alignment
of the two structures becomes more apparent.
More that has happened
Although
the head of the Sphinx is badly battered in some places, traces of the
original paint can still be seen near one ear. Originally it is believed
that the Sphinx was painted and was quite colorful. Since then, the
the nose and beard have been broken away. |