At 187 feet in length and 66 feet high, the Great Sphinx is the most immense sculpture ever made by man. Carved from a yardang (existing piece of stone outcropping) in the 4 th Dynasty, most theories sway towards its creator and the likeness portrayed on its face being that of Khafre, although there is much evidence to support a theory of Khufu being its originator as well. The form is that of a crouching lion with outstretched paws and a human head, clad in the “Nemes”, the striped head covering reserved for kings. Repaired many times over the centuries, the first was by Tuthmosis IV of the 18 th Dynasty who stopped there to rest while hunting in the region. A prince at the time, Tuthmosis had a dream in which the Sphinx complained about its deteriorated condition and told him that he would become king if he restored the statue. The Sphinx was therefore cleared of sand, and a “stela” was placed between the paws of the sphinx to commemorate Tuthmosis’s dream and restoration. Tuthmosis became king in 1400 B.C.

The Great Sphinx with the Pyramid of Khufu. Giza Plateau, Egypt 2002

Silver gelatin print.