Post by Shan on Jun 16, 2005 4:06:22 GMT
Oh no, not another one of Shan's topics.
Guess what this one is going to be about? Bet you can't. ;D
It is about the pyramids not just the Egyptian pyramids but
any and all pyramids.
The Great Sphinx
The Great Sphinx is located in Egypt on the Giza (Gizeh) plateau, situated about six miles west of Cairo.
It is a statue with the body of a male lion with the head of a human. The Great Sphinx was excavated and carved from a relatively soft, natural limestone outcropping on the Giza Plateau. The extensions which fan out at the sides of the head are part of the royal nemes (striped headcloth). At one time there was a uraeus (rearing cobra headpiece which protected from evil forces) and a narrow beard. It looms 241 feet long and 65 feet high.
The Great Sphinx was not 'carved' in the usual sense of the word, rather giant blocks of soft limestone were quarried around the Great Sphinx to give its basic shape. This is why the Great Sphinx appears to sit below the surrounding land in its own 'nook.' These blocks, some many times more massive than the blocks used in pyramid construction (up to about 70 tons, and measuring 30'x10'x12'), were used to build the 'sphinx temple' located immediately in front of the Great Sphinx. Additional shaping of the body was done, then finer shaping was accomplished by casing or sheathing the body with masonry.
More to come.
Shan
Guess what this one is going to be about? Bet you can't. ;D
It is about the pyramids not just the Egyptian pyramids but
any and all pyramids.
The Great Sphinx
The Great Sphinx is located in Egypt on the Giza (Gizeh) plateau, situated about six miles west of Cairo.
It is a statue with the body of a male lion with the head of a human. The Great Sphinx was excavated and carved from a relatively soft, natural limestone outcropping on the Giza Plateau. The extensions which fan out at the sides of the head are part of the royal nemes (striped headcloth). At one time there was a uraeus (rearing cobra headpiece which protected from evil forces) and a narrow beard. It looms 241 feet long and 65 feet high.
The Great Sphinx was not 'carved' in the usual sense of the word, rather giant blocks of soft limestone were quarried around the Great Sphinx to give its basic shape. This is why the Great Sphinx appears to sit below the surrounding land in its own 'nook.' These blocks, some many times more massive than the blocks used in pyramid construction (up to about 70 tons, and measuring 30'x10'x12'), were used to build the 'sphinx temple' located immediately in front of the Great Sphinx. Additional shaping of the body was done, then finer shaping was accomplished by casing or sheathing the body with masonry.
More to come.
Shan