15 Lesser-Known Facts About the Great Sphinx of Giza

As one of the most ancient, massive, and enigmatic structures ever built, the Great Sphinx of Giza captivates with its rich mythology, uncertain beginnings, and speculated links to realms beyond our understanding. This iconic monument is a treasure trove of artistic and historical significance. Discover some intriguing details about this colossal desert sentinel.

Contrary to popular belief, the Great Sphinx of Giza doesn’t technically qualify as a sphinx.

Unlike the traditional sphinx, the Great Sphinx of Giza doesn’t fit the typical mold. While inspired by Egyptian and Mesopotamian lore, the classical Greek sphinx is depicted as a lion with a woman’s head and bird’s wings. The Giza monument, however, is male and lacks wings, making it an androsphinx and complicating its classification.

The sculpture was known by several names throughout history.

The ancient Egyptians didn’t initially refer to the colossal monument as “the Great Sphinx.” According to the Dream Stela of Thutmose IV, dating back to around 1400 BCE, it was called the “statue of the very great Khepri.” Thutmose IV once slept beside it and dreamt that the deity Horem-Akhet-Khepri-Re-Atum appeared as his father, promising him the throne of Egypt if he cleared the sand engulfing the statue. Following this, it was renamed Horem-Akhet, meaning “Horus of the horizon.” Later, medieval Egyptians referred to it by names like balhib and bilhaw.

The true builder of the Great Sphinx remains a mystery.

Despite its grandeur, the Great Sphinx of Giza’s creator remains uncredited. Even today, with no conclusive evidence of its origin, archaeologists remain divided over which Egyptian ruler commissioned this iconic structure.

A widely accepted theory suggests the Sphinx was constructed during Khafre’s reign in the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom, placing its creation around 2500 BCE. Khafre is also associated with the Pyramid of Khafre, the second-largest structure in the Giza Necropolis, along with nearby valley and mortuary temples. The proximity of these structures to the Sphinx, as well as the resemblance between the Sphinx’s face and depictions of Khafre, supports the idea that he commissioned its creation.

However, the absence of definitive records has led some experts to propose that the Sphinx predates Khafre’s reign. Some attribute its construction to Khafre’s father, Khufu, who built the Great Pyramid of Giza, or to Khafre’s half-brother Djedefre. Others argue that the Sphinx is far older, pointing to water erosion on its face and head as evidence of a time when the region experienced heavy rainfall, potentially dating the statue as far back as 6000 BCE.

The construction of the Sphinx appears to have been abandoned abruptly.

Evidence indicates that the Sphinx was meant to be an even more impressive monument than it currently appears. Archaeologists Mark Lehner and Zahi Hawass uncovered large stone blocks, tools, and even remnants of meals left behind, suggesting work was halted abruptly during construction.

The workers who built the Sphinx enjoyed lavish meals.

Contrary to the belief that the Sphinx’s builders were enslaved, their diets suggest otherwise. Lehner’s excavations revealed that the laborers consumed high-quality meats like prime beef, sheep, and goat, implying they were skilled professionals or that enslaved workers were provided better food to maintain their energy.

6. The Great Sphinx was once adorned with vibrant colors.

Although it now blends into its sandy environment, the Sphinx was likely once covered in bright paint. Traces of red pigment are visible on its face, while faint remnants of blue and yellow can still be seen on its body.

7. The Sphinx was partially buried in sand for centuries.

Over its long history, the Great Sphinx has been repeatedly buried by the desert sands. The first recorded restoration took place just before the 14th century BCE under Thutmose IV, who later became pharaoh. For the next 3,000 years, the monument was swallowed by sand again. By the 19th century, its front paws were buried deep beneath the ground. It wasn’t until the 1920s that the Sphinx was fully unearthed once more.

8. The Great Sphinx once lost its iconic crown.

During the 1920s restoration, the Great Sphinx lost part of its headdress and sustained significant damage to its head and neck. In 1931, engineers were hired by the Egyptian government to repair the statue. However, these repairs caused further harm to the fragile limestone. In 1988, a 700-pound chunk of the shoulder broke off in front of a German journalist, prompting a large-scale restoration project to correct the mistakes of previous efforts.

9. A dedicated cult worshipped the Great Sphinx long after its construction.

Following Thutmose IV’s divine vision at the Sphinx, the monument and its associated deity gained renewed prominence during the 14th century BCE. Pharaohs of the New Kingdom even commissioned the construction of a new temple to honor and worship the Great Sphinx.

10. The Egyptian sphinx is regarded as far more benevolent than its Greek counterpart.

The Sphinx’s modern association with tyranny and deceit stems from Greek mythology, not Egyptian. In Greek lore, the creature famously clashed with Oedipus, posing her supposedly unsolvable riddle. In contrast, ancient Egyptian culture revered the Sphinx as a kinder, though equally powerful, divine entity.

11. Napoleon isn’t responsible for the Sphinx’s missing nose.

The disappearance of the Great Sphinx’s nose has sparked numerous myths and theories. One popular tale accuses Napoleon Bonaparte of destroying it during a military campaign. However, 18th-century drawings show the nose was already missing before Napoleon’s time. Historical records from the early 15th century CE point to a Sufi Muslim named Muhammad Sa’im al-Dahr, who allegedly vandalized the Sphinx to disrupt its worshippers. He was later executed for his actions.

12. The Sphinx once had a beard.

Fragments of the Great Sphinx’s beard, which eroded over time, are now housed in the British Museum and Cairo’s Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. However, French archaeologist Vassil Dobrev argued in 2004 that the beard wasn’t part of the original design but a later addition. Dobrev noted that removing the beard would have damaged the chin, yet no such damage is visible. The British Museum agreed, suggesting the beard was added during or shortly after Thutmose IV’s restoration efforts.

13. The statue isn’t the oldest sphinx in existence ...

The Great Sphinx of Giza is not the oldest sphinx in Egypt. Even if attributed to Khafre’s reign in the Fourth Dynasty, sphinxes representing his half-brother Djedefre and sister Hetepheres II likely predate it. New Kingdom rulers like Hatshepsut were also portrayed as sphinxes.

14. ... But it remains the largest sphinx ever created.

Measuring 241 feet in length and 66 feet in height, the Sphinx is the largest monument of its kind in the world.

15. The Sphinx is central to various astronomical theories.

The mystery surrounding the Great Sphinx of Giza has fueled numerous theories about ancient Egyptians’ understanding of astronomy. Some experts, including Lehner, suggest the Sphinx’s alignment with the pyramids of Giza forms part of a vast “energy-harnessing machine” designed to capture solar power. While skeptics question this idea, the Sphinx’s enduring enigma ensures such speculation will persist.