Jammer,

>What King/project would you attribute the original Sphinx work too?

I must preface that I do not have the experience or the credentials to stake a legit claim, my view is just an opinion based on published material and my own imagination...

I believe the Sphinx was originally carved as a lion head with chest and paws and the body a later addition, thus in my view it went through various phases of work. In its earliest form, pre 4th dynasty (perhaps 1st dynasty) it stood in the shape of a lion (i.e. Aker) with an archaic type temple in front of it (east). Here's an example on one of Aha's labels, look at the lower register...go to

[xoomer.alice.it]

I believe Aker, Sekmet, Sokar, Ptah, Osiris represent the infusion of Lower Egyptian cult under a unified Egypt, each sequentially gaining importance and defaulting to the next up to and then beyond the 5th dynasty as Osiris, the first two were represented iconic in feline form. I lean towards the idea that the importance and inclusion of Osiris and Isis (On - Heliopolis) took hold at the end of the 3rd dynasty beginning of the 4th. I believe Lower Egypt cult worship was influenced via the Levant cultures, Unifying Egypt required the infusion of those cults i.e. Seth, Aker...

The change from lion head to human head for the Sphinx in my view occurred after the archaic temple was replaced with a stone temple, I believe Sneferu built the stone temple and Khufu carved the human head in the likes of Sneferu i.e. Horus Neb-Maat, "Horus, Lord of the Cosmological Order", thus in my opinion the face of the Sphinx is that of Sneferu. This in my view shows the icon of Aker/Sekmet evolving into the Heliopolis ennead within the Osiris/Isis context. I believe the body of the Sphinx and the enlargement of the Sphinx temple occurred under the rule of Khafre. I would put the damage to the Sphinx head (nose) within the context of the 1st intermediate period, demonstrating perhaps the fury of the archaic Lower Egyptian cult with the changes made to an icon at the core of their usurped faith??


Best Regards,

B.A. Hokom





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/19/2008 12:09PM by Pistol.