Information
Landmark: Great Sphinx of TanisCity: Cairo
Country: Egypt
Continent: Africa
Great Sphinx of Tanis, Cairo, Egypt, Africa
The Great Sphinx of Tanis is an impressive ancient Egyptian statue that represents a sphinx, a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a pharaoh. It is one of the largest sphinx statues ever discovered in Egypt and is now housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris, France.
Historical Background
The Sphinx of Tanis was discovered in the ruins of Tanis, an ancient city in the Nile Delta, which served as Egypt’s capital during the 21st and 22nd Dynasties (1070–712 BC).
The statue, however, is believed to be much older, dating back to the Middle Kingdom (circa 1980–1630 BC).
It was likely reused and re-inscribed by different pharaohs over the centuries, including Amenemhat II, Merneptah, and Shoshenq I.
Description and Features
The Sphinx is carved from granite, specifically pinkish-red Aswan granite, which was transported from southern Egypt to the Nile Delta.
It measures approximately 1.8 meters (6 feet) high, 4.8 meters (16 feet) long, and weighs around 10–12 tons.
The face is believed to represent a Middle Kingdom pharaoh, though which ruler it originally depicted is uncertain.
Like other sphinxes, it has the body of a lion, symbolizing strength and protection, and the head of a pharaoh, symbolizing royal authority and wisdom.
Symbolism and Importance
Sphinx statues were often placed at temple entrances to act as guardians protecting sacred sites.
The Great Sphinx of Tanis may have originally stood in a temple complex, possibly dedicated to Amun-Ra or another major deity.
Its reuse by later pharaohs suggests it remained an important and revered artifact throughout Egyptian history.
Discovery and Relocation to the Louvre
The Sphinx was found in Tanis, an archaeological site in the Nile Delta, in the 19th century.
In 1826, it was transported to France and placed in the Louvre Museum, where it remains one of the most celebrated Egyptian artifacts on display.
The Great Sphinx of Tanis stands as a testament to the craftsmanship, religious beliefs, and political history of ancient Egypt. Today, it remains an important piece of Egypt’s legacy, admired by visitors from around the world.
