The Great Sphinx

The Great Sphinx is one of the most famous statues in the world. It sits in the desert near the pyramids in Egypt. The statue has the body of a lion and the face of a person. It is huge and very old. The Great Sphinx has been guarding the desert for about 4,500 years.

Its Size

The Great Sphinx is enormous. It is about 240 feet long and 66 feet tall. That is longer than a blue whale and taller than a five-story building. The statue was carved right out of the limestone rock that was there. Workers used hand tools to shape it thousands of years ago.

A Long History

Most experts think the Sphinx was built around 2500 BCE. It is believed to show the face of a pharaoh named Khafre. Over time, sand covered most of the statue. Long ago, a young prince cleared the sand after having a dream. The Sphinx lost its nose sometime in history, and no one is quite sure how.

Fun Facts

• The Great Sphinx once had a long beard that has now broken off.
• It is the oldest known giant statue in the world.
• The Sphinx faces the rising sun every morning.

Did You Know?

There are tunnels and small rooms inside and under the Great Sphinx, and experts are still studying them to learn more about this ancient statue.