12th-century Arab chroniclers mention a 2nd Sphinx across the Nile: a ruined mudbrick female Sphinx with stone facing, where the Nile lapped at its feet. But located 8km+ from Giza, and the Nile's eastward migration would have eroded any remains.
Historical sources: Arab chroniclers mention Sphinx across Nile
Key facts
- 12th century scholar Aladri mentioned a second Mudbrick Sphinx (female) on the eastern bank of the Nile in poor condition
- The second Sphinx was made of mudbrick faced with stone, most removed leaving it ruined
- In 12th century AD, the Nile was lapping at its feet
- Another writer in 1224 AD mentioned a small ruined sphinx of brick and stone across the Nile
- Naziri Kosra heard rumors of a second Sphinx in 1047 AD but never saw it
- Arab sources describe a female statue and young male facing the Great Sphinx, called the 'Sphinx's wife'
- The eastern bank was at least 8km from Giza, making any relationship questionable
- Due to Nile's eastward migration, any remains would be eroded and lost
- Speaker concludes without new ancient texts or archaeological discovery, the hypothesis cannot be proven
Sources
Fact check: Is a second sphinx buried beneath Pyramids of Giza?newsweek.com
Archaeologists and Egypt experts say the evidence does not support assertions of a second Sphinx.
Did Researchers Discover a Second Sphinx at Giza? - Miami Heraldmiamiherald.com
A claim that a second Sphinx lies buried beneath the sands of Egypt's Giza Plateau has gone viral. Italian researcher Filippo Biondi says ...
Researchers detect second Sphinx beneath Pyramids of Gizanypost.com
He noted that this mound was made of hardened sand that would facilitate its existence, rather than an impenetrable bedrock as well.
Was There a Second Great Sphinx at Giza?catchpenny.org
There was another Sphinx facing this one on the other side of the Nile, and both were built here to represent the dividing line between Northern and Southern ...
What Archaeologists Found While Searching for a Buried Second ...vice.com
Experts say claims about a buried second Sphinx and an underground “megastructure” at Giza remain unproven.
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