The Story of the Colossal Sphinx in the Penn Museum

The colossal sphinx in the Penn Museum is one of the most iconic and enigmatic artifacts in the world. Carved from a single block of red granite, it stands over 20 feet tall and weighs over 50 tons. The sphinx's serene expression and intricate headdress have captivated visitors for centuries.

The Sphinx That Traveled to Philadelphia: The Story of the Colossal Sphinx in the Penn Museum

by Jessica Smyth

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	325061 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	256 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

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The sphinx was created during the reign of Pharaoh Amenhotep III (1386-1353 BCE). It was originally placed at the entrance to the pharaoh's mortuary temple in Thebes, Egypt. The temple was destroyed by an earthquake in the 12th century BCE, and the sphinx was buried in the sand for centuries.

In the 19th century, European explorers rediscovered the sphinx and brought it to the Penn Museum. The sphinx was first displayed in the museum in 1893, and it has been a popular attraction ever since.

The sphinx is a powerful symbol of ancient Egypt. It represents the pharaoh's authority and power, and it was believed to protect the pharaoh's tomb from evil spirits.

The sphinx is also a reminder of the enduring power of art. It has survived for centuries, and it continues to inspire awe and wonder in visitors today.

The Sphinx's Features

The sphinx's most striking feature is its serene expression. The sphinx's eyes are slightly open, and its lips are curled into a faint smile. This expression has been interpreted in many ways, but it is generally thought to represent the pharaoh's power and authority.

The sphinx's headdress is also very elaborate. It consists of a nemes headdress, a uraeus, and a sun disk. The nemes headdress is a striped cloth that was worn by pharaohs. The uraeus is a cobra that was often depicted on the foreheads of Egyptian deities. The sun disk represents the god Ra, who was the sun god of ancient Egypt.

The sphinx's body is covered in hieroglyphs. These hieroglyphs tell the story of Pharaoh Amenhotep III's reign. They also describe the sphinx's role as a protector of the pharaoh's tomb.

The Sphinx's History

The sphinx was created during the reign of Pharaoh Amenhotep III (1386-1353 BCE). It was originally placed at the entrance to the pharaoh's mortuary temple in Thebes, Egypt. The temple was destroyed by an earthquake in the 12th century BCE, and the sphinx was buried in the sand for centuries.

In the 19th century, European explorers rediscovered the sphinx and brought it to the Penn Museum. The sphinx was first displayed in the museum in 1893, and it has been a popular attraction ever since.

The sphinx has been damaged over the centuries by both natural and human causes. In the 18th century, a French expedition led by Napoleon Bonaparte damaged the sphinx's nose. In the 19th century, British tourists carved their names on the sphinx's back.

Despite these damages, the sphinx remains a powerful symbol of ancient Egypt. It is a reminder of the pharaoh's authority and power, and it was believed to protect the pharaoh's tomb from evil spirits.

The Sphinx Today

The sphinx is one of the most popular attractions in the Penn Museum. Visitors from all over the world come to see this ancient artifact. The sphinx is a powerful symbol of ancient Egypt, and it continues to inspire awe and wonder in visitors today.

The sphinx is also a reminder of the importance of preserving our cultural heritage. The sphinx has survived for centuries, and it is our responsibility to ensure that it continues to survive for generations to come.

The Sphinx That Traveled to Philadelphia: The Story of the Colossal Sphinx in the Penn Museum

by Jessica Smyth

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	325061 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	256 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE