Did you know that sphynx doesn't have its nose? Well, scientists think that it has been cut of in ~12. century AD by some religious fanat who thought that sphynx was a demon and didn't belong in the Christian world. You can still see the marks of his works on sphynx's nose, well on the place where there used to be a nose.
Another question is whether sphynx had the beard? All the pharaons and gods did have it, it symbolised their power. In the 19. cent. in the sands below the sphynx's head, fragments of this beard were found, now they are in the British Museum. but they still don't know if the sphynx did have this beard from the beginning or it was "put" to it afterwards. There are two interesting facts about it. One - the style in which the beard was made was later then during the period of the Old Kingdom, when it's concidered that the sphynx was built, this kind of style appeared a lot later. The second - geological researches proved that the beard was made of the same stone as the sphynx itself but does it prove anything? Well, only that they goth are of the same material. You see, it's quite hard to "put" this kind of beard to the sphynx, it's several tonnes heavy! How could they do that? but, then again, how did they build the pyramids? :) you know, there aren't any signs of the fact that the beard was "put on", there would have to be some marks on the chin... but there aren't! On the other hand, it might be the work of erosion!
The other missing thing - symbol of royal power - cobra on the head or crown! And again, some parts of it were found in the sands below, and agin they were brought to British Museum :) ! Oh, it's beautiful, you can trust me! I am looking on it right now :)! Well, anyway, cobra, as you might know, symbolises the power and the winning all the enemies which was done by the pharaoh using cobra's poison. Not in the exact meaning of course! oh, and by the way, in teh beginning, long time ago, the sphynx was coloured! And very brightly! :) till soon, thanx for reading and visiting, there will be more! |
