Who Nose What Happened to the Great Sphinx of Giza?
The Great Sphinx of Giza is one of the world's largest and oldest monuments, and isn't without its mystery. Theories fly around regularly about whether there are secret tunnels or hidden halls under the Sphinx, which Dr Zahi Hawass, currently starring in the 'Chasing Mummies' series, insists is not the case in this Heritage Key video (Watch the Video). But my question is much more simple - Whatever happened to the nose of the Great Sphinx?
In a previous Heritage Key article, "Riddle of the Sphinx", Robert Cook wrote about the legend that Napoleon's troops used the Sphinx's nose as target practice during the French invasion of Egypt in 1798. But did they really have such a disregard for thousands of years of history that they purposefully destroyed the nose of the Great Sphinx?
It's a bit of a confusing mystery, mainly because of the poetic license employed by some of those who knew how to draw back in the 18th century. It wasn't so much a case of there being a nose or not, but that the artists felt the Sphinx would be much more attractive and exotic to those viewing the works back in Europe if the monument didn't have a ruined nose. After all, there's not a demand for cats with missing noses in Battersea animal shelter.
In 1743, British traveller and writer Richard Pococke published an account of visiting the Great Sphinx of Giza, and his book included a sketch of the monument with it appearing to show the nose intact. Pococke visited Egypt six years prior to publication, so his actual visit was in 1737. However, on a later visit in a book published in 1767, Pococke remarks that when "you arrive at the Sphinx [sic], whole enormous bulk attracts your admiration: but it is scarce possible to avoid feeling some indignation at those who have strangely disfigured its nose."
An interesting statement from Richard Pococke, as it suggests that the lack of nose on the Sphinx may not actually have been as a result of thousands of years of erosion, but was ruined in a purposeful or accidental action. The previous sketch from 1737, assuming Pococke didn't employ poetic license in the creation of it, would provide a date when the nose was still intact. Indeed, a prior sketch from Cornelis de Brujin in 1698 (Reizen van Cornelis de Bruyn door de vermaardste Deelen van Klein Asia, 1698) also showed the Great Sphinx of Egypt complete with a slightly odd looking nose. Perhaps if the original nose actually looked like the sketch by Cornelis de Brujin, that was reason enough to blast it off? Or maybe the sketch is just a dodgy scan..
Regardless, sketches drawn in 1755 by Frederic Louis Norden in 'Voyage d'Égypte et de Nubie'' (1755) of the Great Sphinx quite clearly show the nose is not there. It seems pretty unlikely to me that Norden would use poetic license to remove the nose from his sketches (unless he was into that sort of thing) so it's reasonable to conclude that by this time, the nose was already missing for whatever reason. What it does prove is that Napoleon and his troops didn't shoot off the nose of the Great Sphinx, as they didn't launch an invasion of Egypt for another 40 years.
So that leaves a period of some 18 years (again assuming that everybody was sketching it accurately) when the nose was removed, and if you want to believe in Pococke's account, destroyed by man. During the first half of the 18th Century, Egypt was in the midst of a power struggle between the Ottomans and the Mamluks, so perhaps this could be related to the missing nose of the Great Sphinx? Or maybe you have a better explanation? Feel free to leave a comment below!
HD Video: Drilling under the Sphinx (Featuring Dr Zahi Hawass and Dr Mark Lehner)
(Read the transcript of this video)
You can check out more fascinating videos from Heritage Key from Dr Zahi Hawass including his hunt to find KV64 in the Valley of the Kings (Watch the Video), and about discoveries being made in the River Nile (Watch the Video). You can also visit the Valley of the Kings online through Heritage Key Virtual - simply register for a free account, download our viewer and log on to discover the Wonders of the Ancient World online.
Read 37 comments, or leave your own
Latest
Get Real About Advertising Fakes ASA Tells Semmel Concerts King Tut Tour- Unique Iron Age Hoard goes on display at Ipswich Museum
- Missing the revolution but making the party!
- Royal Artefacts - Including King Tut's Golden Trumpet - Returned to Egyptian Museum Cairo
SCA releases full list of treasures missing from the Cairo Museum- Petrie Museum celebrates the extraordinary life of Amelia Edwards
- New Face for 5,300-year-old Otzi the Iceman
- New Clues to Welsh Origins of Stonehenge Bluestones
- Read latest articles, blogs & reviews
Most Popular
- New Pyramid Theory: Khufu's Great Pyramid, its Building Grid, the Number 7 and the 'Diamond Matrix'
- Top 10 Animal Gods and Goddesses in Ancient Egypt
- Treasures of King Tut - Tutankhamun's Jewellery and the Love of a Queen
- 19th Century Manuscript and Drawings by Egypt Explorer Frédéric Caillaud Discovered
History Library
HK Editor's Picks
latest hkvideos
videosLatest Comments
hello this is a real interesting article on forgeries
excellent article !
Museum looks really great.
ediscovery
There are really lots of secrets in Egypt. I'm sure this is going to cost millions in auction.
e-discovery tools to help your business grow efficiently.
That's one scary mummy. Thanks for letting us know this. I find it really informational.
e-discovery tools to help your business grow effiiently.
Focus on
King Tut –
Stonehenge
Terracotta Warriors
Pyramids –
Archaeology
Britain –
China –
Egypt
Greece –
Rome
Heritage Key Words
ancient london, british museum, roman, art, zahi hawass, london, ancient egypt, religion, burial, valley of the kings
Next major 'ancient' exhibition in London:
Journey Through the Afterlife: The Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead
at the British Museum
November 2010 - March 2011
(learn more)
Comments
"Chasing Mummies" Review: Painful - horrible show… Really hurts to watch… it sh!ts all over the history and pre-history that I love. A low point in Egyptology and archeology. Dr. Zahi Hawass has destroyed any credibility he had. Abysmal. Bad. Wretching. Pissed on. Flem rattle spew. A terrible - terrible show. I hope a giant slab of tomb granite is dislodged and slowly crushes everyone involved in this show.
In her paper "Ancient Egypt in America" (in Meskell's "Archaeology Under Fire" 1998) Ann Macy Roth says that there is clear textual evidence that the nose of the Sphinx was damaged in 1378 AD "by a religious Muslim who feared that it was the object of improper worship." She cites Haarmann 1980 "(Regional Sentiment in Medieval Islamic Egypt" - Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies 43, p.55-66).
re the Ottoman and Mamluk eras. I wonder if somebody, sometime will turn up an ancient diary notation written by some officer in this time and place..."today the Emir allowed us to perfect our skills with these new cannon and awarded the man who could shoot the nose off a stone statue, a head, sitting just out of the sand, 2 spanish marks of 8, a wonderful prize, that truly I would liked to have won".....mystery over!!
Truthfully though, another 100 yrs of erosion and the ears or eyes may not be identifiable, can they wrap it in glad wrap- vacuum packed?
Perhaps it just fell off due to cracks in the stone, and the debris reused or scattered as fill material.
I believe the nose is destroyed by a German Tank during WWII. They used it as a target.
@Andie - Very interesting, so perhaps several artists since were taking creative liberties with the Great Sphinx's nose! I still find it interesting how many different accounts there are - perhaps the nose was only slightly damaged in 1378? Who nose..? ;)
@ Thea - The video shows the work being done by Dr Zahi Hawass and Dr Mark Lehner to protect the Great Sphinx from rising water levels - I'd hope they're caring about the famed facial features too! Maybe the fact that the Sphinx's nose is missing generates more interest by posing the very question of what happened to it? Maybe in a few hundred years, people may be asking what happened to the whole face?
@DW - That's the less sexy account of what may have happened ;)
@Bart Mertens - I think the evidence is overwhelming in that not being the case. See the photograph taken by Don McCullin, for example.
Most scholars studying the issue have come to the conclusion that the Great Sphinx at Giza was intentionally defaced by a fanatical sufi named Mahammad Sa'im al-Dahar in 1378 who considered the monument a sacrilegious object. His actions anticipate by centuries the fanatical destruction by the Taliban of the Buddhas in our time.
As recently as October 2009 the effects of winds with low speeds on the Sphinx were revealed by scientific computing published by the Library at Alexandria.
As for more recent damage, one can document that "a chunk [of stone]" broke off from the south shoulder of the Sphinx and hit the ground, as reported in at least one newspaper account of 2 February 1988.
Thanks for debunking the myth about Napoleon's artillerymen. At least one suspect is now in the clear. Given the strongly negative view of 'images' held by Islam, I find the claim that the Sphinx was defaced by faithful Muslims credible, but it would be interesting to see a follow-up article explaining what evidence there is for that.
There is a clearly discernible and deep groove gouged into the area of the Sphinx's face where the bridge of the nose would have been, consistent with a crude and deliberate efffort to detach the nose by forcing in a metal rod or bar and then prising the nose off. There is a well known tradition that this was done by a local ruler in the middle ages because of the awe and a certain reverance afforded by the people living at gizeh to the Sphinx. It is said they made offerings to it and by defacing it in this way he proved it had no power over them. The tradition of Napoleons troops being responsible is not consistent with the evidence. Maybe soemone should call in the CSI team!
"Bart Mertens:
I believe the nose is destroyed by a German Tank during WWII."
Yep, @ 1740, wasn't it? Here's a thought: STFU.
Thea: "I wonder if somebody, sometime will turn up an ancient diary notation written by some officer in this time and place..."today the Emir allowed us to perfect our skills with these new cannon and awarded the man who could shoot the nose off a stone statue, a head, sitting just out of the sand, 2 spanish marks of 8, a wonderful prize, that truly I would liked to have won".....mystery over!!"
Yep, "mystery over"...and you have some evidence, ANY evidence, off missed shots that hit elsewhere? Or were these bad ol' muslims crack shots that never missed?
If not, let me offer advice: STFU.
wow, common sense arrived.
"Dr Bob Bianchi:
Most scholars studying the issue have come to the conclusion that the Great Sphinx at Giza was intentionally defaced by a fanatical sufi named Mahammad Sa'im al-Dahar in 1378 who considered the monument a sacrilegious object. His actions anticipate by centuries the fanatical destruction by the Taliban of the Buddhas in our time."
Sure, whatever you say, "Dr." Bob.
They didn't "anticipate by centuries" the Christian burning of the Library at Alexandria by fanatical Christians? Inquisition by Christian? Defacing and destroying religious sanctuaries of ancient Resurrection religions, like at Ephesus?
No, it was just those 'evil 'ol' muslims" wrecking havoc, with heroic Jews and Christians protecting our true legacies, right, "Dr." Bob?
World-wide, you have people with Paleolithic Stone God religions embedded within them to this day.
"Jews", "Islamics" and "Christians" all complete blissfully unaware they worship, to this day, "Gods" of Sumer, Mari, Akkadia, babylon, India and Egypt.
For instance: The tale of Abraham and Isaac.
Let's explore a sec: Supposedly, the bible tells us that Abraham (supposedly from the city of Ur, where his father made statues, remember that) was going to do ANOTHER HUMAN SACRIFICE, this time, HIS OWN SON.
But the "Lord" told him to substitute a "ram caught in the thickets" instead. This one, from 2650 BC (@ 800 years before so-called "biblical scholars" say "Abraham" journeyed to Egypt from Ur:
http://arthistory.about.com/od/from_exhibition/ig/RoyalTombsofUr/Ram-in-...
So what, you say? Well, this is "what:" this statute was found in Ur, at a location archaeologists found 173 skeleton remains of human sacrifice. Women, children.
So, tell me you peace loving Jews, Muslims and Christians: WHO WAS "ABRAHAM" and what was HIS legacy????
Pagan that you stone age mentality yoyos.
Hello to all ...as far as I know the Sphynx nose was destroyed at a certain time by muslim priests during an excorcism ritual . The strange think is that that was done because the Sphynx was reputed as somehow erethic and offensive .That's what I remember I've read in some books about Egypt history but , sorry, can't tell at the moment which book but will check it out. Bye to all !
I'VE HEARD ALL KINDS OF CAUSES FOR THE SPHINX NOSE BEING REMOVED,NONE OF THEM SOUND TRUEFULL . I THINK THE NOSE OF THE SPHINX WAS REMOVED BECAUSE IT WAS THAT OF THE BLACK/NEGRO/COLORED/AFRICAN AMERICAN WHATEVER THE DARK RACE OF PEOPLE ARE BEING CALLED NOW. SO THAT THEY WOULD'NT BE WISE TO THE THAT GREAT THINGS THEY AS A PEOPLE HAVE AND CAN ACOMPLISH . LIKE SO MANY OTHER THINGS IN HISTORY, THAT JUST STARTING TO COME TO THE FOREFRONT.JUST LIKE ALL OTHER THINGS THATS COME TO LIGHT, THIS TOO SHALL BE REVEILED IN TIME.
THE FACES OF ALL GREAT KINGS HAVE BEEN RESTORED, FOR US TO SEE . EVEN THE FACE OF JESUS HAS BEEN RESTORED,.I SAY, HAVE THESE SAME PEOPLE RESTORE THE NOSE OF THE SPHINX. WITH NOSES OF ALL RACES OF PEOPLE AND SEE FOR YOURSELF, IF THAT OF THE DARK RACE PEOPLE DO FIT THE FACE BETTER THEN THAT OF ANY OTHER,I DARE YOU!!!
<p>Thanks for debunking the myth about Napoleon's artillerymen. At least one suspect is now in the clear. Given the strongly negative view of 'images' held by Islam, I find the claim that the Sphinx was defaced by faithful Muslims credible, but it would be interesting to see a follow-up article explaining what evidence there is for that.</p>
<p>Hi, nice article, it would be interesting to see a follow-up article explaining what evidence there is for that.</p>
As far as I know there is a story that Napoleon with his army fired on exercises and have damaged the nose, I forgot the exact time but tend to believe the story that seems a bit exaggerated. http://www.emailmarketingsoftwares.org
That's what I remember I've read in some books about Egypt history but , sorry, can't tell at the moment which book but will check it out. Bye to all !
what happened to the sphinx nose is shrowded in mystery. I think the most likely explanation was that the Sphynx nose was destroyed at a certain time by muslim priests during an excorcism ritual but then again, the eveidence here can be contradictory
<p>Thank you for your sharing.</p>
<p>Thank you for your sharing.</p>
2Slmnp <a href="http://mwqqcsduatla.com/">mwqqcsduatla</a>, [url=http://hgcjnbnmosgp.com/]hgcjnbnmosgp[/url], [link=http://odrvpvwvnrch.com/]odrvpvwvnrch[/link], http://ultckztbgdtm.com/
2xwTZv <a href="http://xzqkwesaadtt.com/">xzqkwesaadtt</a>, [url=http://mdyqvmfseyxp.com/]mdyqvmfseyxp[/url], [link=http://onpdfjozxqyd.com/]onpdfjozxqyd[/link], http://kqbtzmfggvae.com/
"Through the course of archaeological research<a href='http://www.dominateseo.net/customer/index.php?linkwheel-link-wheel-service&cid=236'>,</a> we have thoroughly examined the Sphinx<a href='http://crest-white-strips.net/'>,</a> and disproved the unorthodox theories surrounding it<a href='http://buyfacebookfanshere.net/'>.</a> These boxes were the last remains of the mystery<a href='http://buytwitterfollowershere.net/'>.</a> Recently<a href='http://pregnancyweekbyweekguide.net/'>,</a> we conducted a radar survey of one of the boxes in order to see what was really there. The box behind the left rear paw of the Sphinx is the only one that remains fully intact from antiquity, so we chose to use radar to examine the top and sides of this box. The radar showed that the boxes are made of solid rock, with nothing hidden inside.
Therefore, the study of this box could confirm the theory that my friend Mark Lehner and myself had stated before, which is that these boxes cold have been used during the New Kingdom as bases for statues of the god Osiris."
Have yall heard of this genre called BLOG HOUSE? I can't rlly explain it, but fortunately CurrentTV had a few moderately-alt bros in cryptic graphic tees explain what it is.
Regards,
Buy Term Paper
The strange think is that that was done because the Sphynx was reputed as somehow erethic and offensive .That's what I remember I've read in some books about Egypt history but , sorry, can't tell at the moment which book but will check it out. Bye to all !
<p><br />
Thanks, I was looking for information and your blog really helped me.</p>
Thanks underutilized assets, which are easiest to identify, are Intel-based servers, because each server can be individually monitored .
telefonkatalogen.biz
This is really a great article to say the least. I have really enjoyed this information so much.
bygg flateby
<p>All the contents you mentioned in post is too good and can be very useful. I will keep it in mind, thanks for sharing the information keep updating, looking forward for more posts.Thanks</p>
<a href=http://www.monclercoatofficial.com/site_map>Moncler jacken</a>
I’d have to check with you here. Which is not something I usually do! I enjoy reading a post that will make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!
<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);
display: inline ! important; float: none;" class="Apple-style-span">Well this is very interesting indeed.Would love to read a little more of this. Great post. Thanks for the heads-up...This blog was very informative and knowledgeable</span>.
<a href="http://www.clubmz.com/" rel="follow">cell phone spying</a>