(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

The Age Of The Great Sphinx

            The age of the Sphinx has been a controversial issue in Egyptology for the past ten years or so. Nobody is sure exactly who built the Sphinx nor are they exactly sure when it was built. Of course Egyptologists say they have a certain time frame it must have been built in, but what exactly do they have to back that up? I believe the Sphinx has to be older than is accepted by Egyptologists, though in this paper I intend to show both viewpoints and also the results this would have on the history of Egypt. .
             First I would like to examine the recorded history of the Sphinx. There may be evidence to show that there have been some human caused clues to the age of the Sphinx that could very well be misleading. Almost any Egyptologist will tell you that the Sphinx could not possibly be older than the Old Kingdom, though where they get that certainty I am unsure of. The quality of excavations of any site can determine the contamination on site by excavators and workers. The excavations of the Sphinx occurred so long ago that any records of them are scarce and incomplete. During Napoleon's military advances he conquered the area of Egypt. Though he did not remain in power long, his scholars and workers were able to gain enough information to make Egypt a worldwide fascination. Though Napoleon's scholars were never able to do the excavations necessary to gain much knowledge from the Sphinx, later scholars soon appeared. In 1817, Giovanni Caviglia worked for a man by the name of Henry Salt. Henry Salt was a collector of things ancient and funded the dig, this being how many digs were funded during these times. Caviglia dug a trench, which exposed one of the northern shoulders of the Sphinx, as well as digging far enough to reach the monuments base level. Excavations were difficult for anybody to run because the surrounding sands threatened to fill in the test pits and to devour its workers along with it.


Essays Related to The Age Of The Great Sphinx

1. The Sphinx

... the Great Sphinx built?" and also, "what kinds of kooky things have you heard about the Sphinx?" The biggest controversy surrounded the Sphinx is not the question why was it built, but instead the question when was it built. There are two different theories that answer this question and they both seem to be logical answers. The first is that it was built around the same time as the construction of the Pyramid of ... based on is that the pattern of erosion is due mainly to a very large amount of water. This indicates that the Sphinx was carved at the end of the last Ice Age, when heavy rai...

  • Word Count: 344
  • Approx Pages: 1
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

2. The Story of Oedipus the King

... , and strong willed leader named Oedipus gained ruler of Thebes by answering this Riddle of Sphinx; what has four legs in the morning, two at noon, and three at night? Oedipus replies, Man (who crawls on all fours as a baby, walks upright later, and needs a walking stick in old age). Since Oedipus was the only person who answered the riddle correctly, he gained respect to his fellow ... I should do or say to save this city." (Sophocles, 70-77) Oedipus portrays a great leader to his people in Thebes. Sophocles, the author, illustrates to his audience how Oedipus showed leadership througho...

  • Word Count: 1027
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

3. Architecture of the Old Kingdom

I find Egyptian art to be the most captivating art of ancient times. I am especially taken by the art that was produced in the first through sixth dynasties, known as the Old Kingdom. This period of time is known as the golden age of Egyptian culture. The art of the Old Kingdom was very traditional. It was based on form and structure. Throughout the six dynasties, there was little change in the format which art was ... believed to start the carving of the Great Sphinx. It is believe due to the likeness of the Sphinx's face. When compared to statues of King Khafre, it is hard to dispute the f...

  • Word Count: 565
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

4. France in the Era of Liberalism

... doctrine, which supports and enhances the freedom of an individual and the equality of a nation. During the Age of Enlightenment, liberal movement became a very popular notion amongst certain groups (Bourgeoisie), and individuals in the western world, thus promoting major events during this time as the French revolution. Basically it's a movement, which opposes absolute monarchy, state religion, Divine right of Kings, hereditary privilege etcetera, though most of its doctrines are fixed on ... a sphinx. During the Era of Bonaparte III, Businessmen who were considered of the Third-Estate...

  • Word Count: 3181
  • Approx Pages: 13
  • Has Bibliography

5. Early Egyptian Pyramid Design

... faith in the divinity and immortality of their kings. The first pyramid was the Step Pyramid at Saqqara (refer to page 11). This first application of large-scale technology was the first pyramid built for King Zoser in 2750BC. It was this feat that heralded the short age of the gigantic stone pyramids of ancient Egypt. The superstructure of the pyramid was made of small limestone ... blocks and desert clay. The original structure was an underground burial chamber. This ... carved into the bedrock of the plateau. Khufu's son Khafre, who was next in the royal line, commissioned the build...

  • Word Count: 2520
  • Approx Pages: 10
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

6. Sophocles

... difficult puzzle. The Sphinx demanded: What creature is it that walks on four feet in the morning, on two at noon, and on three in the evening? With his eminent mastery of riddles and having an open mind, Oedipus replied, "It is Man". As a child he crawls on four. When he grows up he walks upright on his two feet, and in old age he leans ... never been wrong. And finally, Creon suffers the wrath of fate. Creon, Oedipus's brother-in-law quickly took to the throne when Oedipus was banished from Thebes. Creon took the throne with a sense of aggression towards the enemy of Thebes. He punish...

  • Word Count: 1256
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

7. Comparing Sophocle's Oedipus to Creon

... difficult puzzle. The Sphinx demanded: What creature is it that walks on four feet in the morning, on two at noon, and on three in the evening? With his eminent mastery of riddles and having an open mind, Oedipus replied, "It is Man". As a child he crawls on four. When he grows up he walks upright on his two feet, and in old age he leans ... never been wrong. And finally, Creon suffers the wrath of fate. Creon, Oedipus's brother-in-law quickly took to the throne when Oedipus was banished from Thebes. Creon took the throne with a sense of aggression towards the enemy of Thebes. He punish...

  • Word Count: 1320
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

8. King oedipus long essay

... when hinted to stop brings him to his knees with remorse. Although Oedipus has many flaws none of them lead to his tragic downfall as much as his arrogance does. Oedipus" arrogance first starts out when he is around the age of fifteen and has just heard about his horrendous prophecy: that he will kill his father and marry his mother. When he hears ... this, Oedipus believes he can out think the gods, and make sure his prophecy won't come true. His arrogant self runs away from ... "home," absolutely convinced he has stumped the gods. Another example of Oedipus" overpowering arrogance is...

  • Word Count: 1090
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

9. A Comparison Between Bisclarvet And Other Historic Werewolves

... Werewolves Since the beginning of man the idea of lycanthropy, the ability to change from man to beast, has been a source of great interest (Webster). Marie de France took many of the folk tales and legends of werewolves and wove them together in "Bisclarvet". When comparing "Bisclarvet" to other historical werewolves one gets a sense of where Marie de France or the poet/s she heard the story got ... well known tale, it is very possible that in de Frances" age it would have been somewhat, if not very difficult, to hear or read the tale. She also went onto incorporate themes from later l...

  • Word Count: 1097
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question