• The purpose of the Sphinx is not known.

Orthodox archaeologists: "A memorial to a Pharaoh or that it functioned as

some sort of talisman or guardian deity..."

Scholars:"Sphinx functioned as an astronomical

observation device..."

• Restoration of the Sphinx

1. Sphinx continues to deteriorate because of the relentless wind, humidity and the ever-increasing smog from nearby Cairo.

2. 1980: More than 2000 limestone blocks were added to the body of the Sphinx and various chemicals were injected in the hopes of preventing its further deterioration.

3. 1988: The left shoulder crumbled and blocks fell off.

4. Present attempts at restoration are under the control of the Supreme Council of Antiquities' archaeologists.

• Identity

1. Guardian of the TombsIt is made of limestone. The body and head were cut from a single limestone rock, present at the site, paws were added on after. With the head of a human and a lion's body, it has guarded the site of the pyramids for almost 4,500 years.

• Named: Sphinx, after a creature in Greek mythology that had a woman's head and lion's body.

• It is supposed to be both intelligent and strong.

• The Egyptians call him Abu El Hol.

• Name game:

The Sphinx is an alias, created by the ancient Greeks when the statue was

already centuries old. The early name was Hor-em-akhet,

meaning “Horus in the horizon.” • Horus is the Egyptian god of the sky.

• Test of time:

Out of the seven wonders of the ancient world, only the Giza Pyramids and the

Sphinx are still standing.

• Color me mysterious:

The Sphinx was originally painted in garish comic-book colors like red.

Traces of the pigment can be seen by its ear.

• Copycat:

In Las Vegas, the Egyptian-themed Luxor Hotel‘s foam and plaster version is 35 feet

taller than the original Sphinx, which rises 66 feet.

• Close shave:

The Sphinx originally sported a beard, which eventually crumbled.

A piece of its “stubble” is displayed in the British Museum in London.

• Secrets and lies:

Legend says the library of the sunken island of Atlantis is stowed beneath the Sphinx,

with an entrance near its right paw. Nothing has been found, according to bemused

archaeologists.

• Nose job:

Contrary to popular history, Napoleon’s cannonballs did not shoot off the Sphinx’s

nose. The evidence suggests the nose was intentionally cleaved off at least 300 years before the Little Corporal invaded Egypt in

1798.

• Mystery

Schwaller de Lubicz: Have confirmed, that the extreme erosion on the body of the Sphinx could not be the result of wind and sand but rather was the result of water.

Geologists: Egypt was subjected to severe flooding. Wind erosion cannot take place when the body of the Sphinx is covered by sand.(Sphinx has been in this condition for nearly all of the last five thousand year - since the alleged time of its 4th Dynasty construction.)

• Edgar Cayce "Sleeping prophet"- ability to put himself into a deep trance. Egypt was the repository for records of the alleged civilization of Atlantis.Underground library: Hall of RecordsClaims: Sphinx points in the direction of the "Hall of Records.""There is a chamber or passage from the right forepaw of the [Sphinx] to this entrance of the

Hall of records, or chamber."