JTEM
2007-09-02 10:20:33 UTC
Now, for a long time I've heard of the Second Sphinx
theory. But, what I recall hearing was that a canal
ran in front of the Spinx in ancient times, and that the
second Sphinx sat across the water.
This theory is different, not to mention a little far
fetched:
CAIRO: Two Sphinxes existed on the Pyramids Plateau,
according to a new study by Egyptologist Bassam El
Shammaa.
El Shammaa said the famed half-lion, half man statute
was an Egyptian deity erected next to another Sphinx,
which has since vanished without a trace. This theory,
however, is in contradiction to the general belief that a
single colossal statue functioned as a guard to the
pyramids.
El Shammaa said the idea of two Sphinxes is more in
line with ancient Egyptian beliefs, which were mainly
based on duality.
"The pyramid texts recovered at Saqqara, especially
from the Wanis Pyramid, contain descriptions of the
ancient Egyptian conception of how the universe was
created. Basically, this concept underlined the belief
in duality," El Shammaa said.
"Whenever we have to deal with the Solar cult, we
should speak of one lion and one lioness facing each
other, posing parallel to each other or sitting in a
back-to-back position."
"The double avenue of the ram-headed Sphinxes fronting
the first Karnak pylon and its counterpart of
human-headed Sphinxes at the Temple of Luxor
emphasise this duality, alongside other indications like
the double crowns of Upper and Lower Egypt, Isis, Osiris,
Habtoor and Horus," elaborated El Shammaa.
He said ancient Egyptian records and mythology
suggested that lightening destroyed part of the Sphinx,
adding that this might be in reference to the second
Sphinx, which was eliminated after a curse by the chief
Egyptian deity.
"Utterance No. 600 says that Atum - the 'complete one'
and creator god in ancient Egyptian mythology - created
his son Shu and daughter Tefnut, shaping them as a
lion and a lioness and placing each one on an extreme
tip of the universe," he said.
"Shu was to take the solar disc between his jaws and
hand it to his sister Tefnut who in turn would capture it
between her jaws and by so doing they would achieve
the full cycle of the Sun," he added.
theory. But, what I recall hearing was that a canal
ran in front of the Spinx in ancient times, and that the
second Sphinx sat across the water.
This theory is different, not to mention a little far
fetched:
CAIRO: Two Sphinxes existed on the Pyramids Plateau,
according to a new study by Egyptologist Bassam El
Shammaa.
El Shammaa said the famed half-lion, half man statute
was an Egyptian deity erected next to another Sphinx,
which has since vanished without a trace. This theory,
however, is in contradiction to the general belief that a
single colossal statue functioned as a guard to the
pyramids.
El Shammaa said the idea of two Sphinxes is more in
line with ancient Egyptian beliefs, which were mainly
based on duality.
"The pyramid texts recovered at Saqqara, especially
from the Wanis Pyramid, contain descriptions of the
ancient Egyptian conception of how the universe was
created. Basically, this concept underlined the belief
in duality," El Shammaa said.
"Whenever we have to deal with the Solar cult, we
should speak of one lion and one lioness facing each
other, posing parallel to each other or sitting in a
back-to-back position."
"The double avenue of the ram-headed Sphinxes fronting
the first Karnak pylon and its counterpart of
human-headed Sphinxes at the Temple of Luxor
emphasise this duality, alongside other indications like
the double crowns of Upper and Lower Egypt, Isis, Osiris,
Habtoor and Horus," elaborated El Shammaa.
He said ancient Egyptian records and mythology
suggested that lightening destroyed part of the Sphinx,
adding that this might be in reference to the second
Sphinx, which was eliminated after a curse by the chief
Egyptian deity.
"Utterance No. 600 says that Atum - the 'complete one'
and creator god in ancient Egyptian mythology - created
his son Shu and daughter Tefnut, shaping them as a
lion and a lioness and placing each one on an extreme
tip of the universe," he said.
"Shu was to take the solar disc between his jaws and
hand it to his sister Tefnut who in turn would capture it
between her jaws and by so doing they would achieve
the full cycle of the Sun," he added.