What happened to the nose of the Great Sphinx in ancient Egypt?

Egypt is home to dozens of historical artifacts that have survived from ancient times, especially the pyramids. The pyramids, tombs of kings, mummies, statues, and many other remnants of the ancient Egyptian civilization continue to attract the attention of millions of people today. Here, the Sphinxes are among the most important historical structures to have reached the modern era from ancient Egypt. However, among these interesting and imposing structures in Egypt, there is one monument that is more famous than the others. The monument, also known as the Great Sphinx of Giza or the Great Sphinx, is one of the most famous historical monuments in the world. Because it has many unusual features.

First of all, the Great Sphinx is one of the greatest monuments in the world. The Sphinx is 73.5 meters long, 6 meters wide and 20 meters high. However, it has existed on Earth for exactly 4,500 years. But there are other elements that make the Sphinx interesting. Built 4,500 years ago, the monument looked a little different than it does today when it first appeared. Moreover, you don’t have to be a historian to realize this state of affairs. Because there is a huge gap in the Sphinx’s nose today! Let’s express it more clearly. The Sphinx has no nose! For hundreds of years! So what happened to the nose of this important monument? Let’s search together for the answer to this strange question …

The Great Sphinx is among the most famous historical artifacts of ancient Egypt.

Sphinx, Cape. They are carvings with the head of a ram, a bird, or a human being, and the body in the form of an extended lion. One of the most famous of these statues is the Great Sphinx.

One of the oldest and largest statues in the world

The Great Sphinx, which is believed to have been built between 2603 and 2578 BC, is 73.5 meters tall. On the other hand, this gigantic statue is 6 meters wide and 20 meters high.

It was made for the pharaoh named Khafre, who ruled for 24 to 26 years during the Fourth Dynasty.

Scholars agree that the Great Sphinx was probably built to protect the pyramid of Khafre located immediately behind it, and the entire area in general. Because it is known that protective properties were attributed to lions, which were considered sacred in ancient Egypt.

The face of the Sphinx also belonged to Pharaoh Khafra

However, tints of yellow, blue and red discovered in research on the Sphinx reveal that the monument was painted with bright and vibrant colors in the early years of its appearance. These are all the physical facts we know about the Great Sphinx. But there are also things we don’t know about this extraordinary monument. Among the most important of these is the fate of the Sphinx’s nose!

The Sphinx comes to life in the minds of all people in its “nasal” state

Because the Sphinx’s nose is not where it should have been for hundreds of years! Well, but where? When and how did it disappear? Even today, there is no clear answer to these questions. But there are many theories, some of which have been refuted in the past years.

One of the most famous accounts of what happened to the nose of the Great Sphinx claims that it was destroyed by Napoleon Bonaparte.

Drawing of the Sphinx by Frederic Louis Norden

More precisely, an artillery unit in Napoleon’s army invading Egypt appears as the usual suspect. The story goes that during Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt in 1798, a cannon accidentally fired from an artillery unit hit the Sphinx’s nose and broke it. However, this story is not true.

In a drawing by Danish explorer Frederik Louis Norden in the mid-1700s, the Sphinx is depicted without a nose. So the Sphinx lost its nose long before Napoleon invaded Egypt …

According to an Egyptian historian named Makrouzi, who lived in the 15th century, the Sphinx’s nose was broken by a Muslim named Muhammad Saim al-Dahr.

According to al-Mukrazi, Muhammad Saim al-Dahr, who came to the area in 1378, saw the locals making offerings to the Sphinx, and broke the Sphinx’s nose in response to the worship of the statue.

Some say Egyptian protesters are responsible for breaking the Sphinx’s nose

In other words, this historical nose may have fallen victim to the social outrage that surfaced hundreds of years ago.

According to a study conducted by an American archaeologist named Mark Lehner, the nose of the Great Sphinx. It was deliberately broken between the third and tenth centuries AD!

The most important evidence that the nose was intentionally broken or removed is the chisel marks where the nose should be! However, according to studies on the Sphinx, the nose is not the only missing piece of the monument!

The Great Sphinx had a nose and a beard!

Yes, according to research, the Great Sphinx was added to the jaw area shortly after its construction, with the famous Egyptian pharaonic beards. However, this piece was also removed from the monument for an unknown reason.

However, there are some holes in the head of the Sphinx. However, the holes, which seem meaningless today, acquire meaning when some images that have survived from antiquity are carefully examined. Accordingly, the Great Sphinx wore a crown when it was first built! However, this crown has taken its place among the missing parts of the Sphinx over the years, just like the nose and beard.