For centuries, the Great Sphinx of Giza has been the most mysterious and legendary statue in the world. It has not yet been established by whom and for what purpose the sculpture was erected. This does not prevent the Sphinx from remaining a historical property. Perhaps these little known facts You haven’t heard about the famous sculpture yet!

The Great Sphinx is the oldest statue in human history
Although the date of construction of the statue is not precisely determined, the Sphinx of Giza is considered the oldest monument in history. However, there are more ancient sphinxes, for example, depicting the half-brother and sister of Pharaoh Khafre, during whose reign, according to historians, the Great Sphinx was erected.

Largest statue in the world
At 72 meters long and 20 meters high, the Sphinx of Giza is considered the largest monolithic statue in the world. It’s amazing how in ancient times man managed to build such a gigantic centuries-old sculpture.

The Sphinx had different names
He wasn't always called Great Sphinx. In 1400 BC. The Sphinx was referred to as the "Statue of the Great Khepri", in honor of the god who appeared in the dreams of Pharaoh Thutmose IV. The Sphinx was also called "Horem-Akhet" or "Horus on the horizon", "balkhib" and "bilhou".

Sphinx for a long time was buried under the sand
Cause long stay sculptures under the sand - winds and weather conditions of the Egyptian desert. The first restoration of the sphinx took place in the 15th century BC, by the forces of Thutmose IV. Three millennia later, the sculpture was again buried under the sands until the 19th century. It was not until the 1920s that the Sphinx was excavated and restored.

Once upon a time the Sphinx lost his crown
During restorations in 1920, some parts of the sculpture suffered significant damage, including the crown, which was later restored in the 1930s using soft limestone. In 1988, a 320-kilogram part of the statue's shoulder fell off, which was later also restored.

The Sphinx and his missing nose
One of the most common legends regarding the absence of a nose on the statue says that Napoleon Bonaparte ordered the nose to be broken off; this was indicated in many documents. However, later, based on early sketches of the Sphinx, historians determined that Napoleon was not to blame: the statue lost its nose even before his birth.

The Sphinx was once colorful
Now the Sphinx blends into its sandy surroundings, although previously it was multi-colored - this is confirmed by the remains of red paint that are still visible on the face of the statue, and traces of blue and yellow paint found on the body. The colors have faded over time due to desert weather conditions.

The Sphinx had a beard
The fact that the statue has a beard is confirmed by remains that were removed due to severe erosion. They are now kept in the British Museum and the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo. Some experts argue that the Sphinx was not originally bearded; the element was added later, during the reconstruction under Thutmose IV.

The Egyptian Sphinx is a more “positive” statue than the Greek Sphinx
Initially in Greek mythology The sphinx was described as a cruel, treacherous creature. The Egyptian Sphinx is a positive version of the Greek: he is merciful, strong and kind, as his long-lasting cult also showed.

It is unknown who built the Sphinx
Although scientists have determined that the Sphinx was built by people, the question of who exactly remains open to this day. The most popular version says that the Sphinx was erected during the reign of Pharaoh Khafre, which dates back to approximately 2500 BC. Many people notice the similarity of the statue’s face with the appearance of the pharaoh. A number of archaeologists believe that it was Khafre who ordered the construction of a giant monument with his face.

Whoever built the Sphinx did not finish the construction
According to one of the historical theories, the Sphinx was supposed to look more impressive than we see it now. The fact is that American and Egyptian archaeologists, while studying the sculpture, discovered large stone blocks and sets of tools nearby. This clearly indicates that for some unknown reason the construction of the Sphinx was suspended.

The workers who built the statue had luxurious food
Although, according to many, the Sphinx was built by slaves suffering in harsh conditions, American archaeologist Mark Lehner discovered interesting find, proving that the workers were well fed. As a result of excavations near the monument, the archaeologist determined that the builders had a regular diet, including beef and lamb.

For a long time there was a cult of the Sphinx
The cult of worship of the Sphinx arose after its construction. The reason was the mystical visions of Pharaoh Thutmose IV, in which the Sphinx appeared before him as a virtuous creature. In addition, the Egyptian Sphinx, according to many people, is endowed with mystical powers, which made it even more popular.

The Sphinx is surrounded by many theories
The mysteries of the Sphinx of Giza are the central subject of a number of theories, including astronomical ones. The well-known archaeologist Mark Lehner mentioned in one of his works that the Sphinx and the pyramids of Giza were built for recycling solar energy. In another theory, British writer Graham Hancock talks about the correlation of the location of the Sphinx, the pyramids and the Nile River with the stars of the constellations Leo, Orion, and the Milky Way.

The Sphinx of Giza is not actually a Sphinx
If we go into details of the term "sphinx", then the Sphinx of Giza does not coincide with its traditional description. By definition from classical Greek mythology, a sphinx is a creature with wings, the body of a lion, and the head of a woman.

Children's Russian fairy tale for children 4-5 years old “Wintermovie”.

A bull, a ram, a pig, a cat and a rooster decided to live in the forest.

It's nice in the forest in the summer, that's right! The bull and ram have plenty of grass, the cat catches mice, the rooster picks berries, pecks at worms, the pig digs roots and acorns under the trees. Only bad things could happen to friends if it rained.

So the summer passed, late autumn came, and it began to get colder in the forest. The bull was the first to remember to build a winter hut. I met a ram in the forest:

Come on, friend, build a winter hut! I will carry logs from the forest and cut poles, and you will tear up wood chips.

Okay,” the ram answers, “I agree.”

We met a bull and a ram and a pig: - Let's go, Khavronyushka, build a winter hut with us. We will carry logs, hew poles, tear up wood chips, and you will knead clay, make bricks, and build a stove.

The pig also agreed.

A bull, a ram and a pig saw a cat:

Hello, Kotofeich! Let's go build a winter hut together! We will carry logs, hew poles, tear up wood chips, knead clay, make bricks, lay a stove, and you will weave moss and caulk the walls.

The cat agreed too.

A bull, a ram, a pig and a cat met a rooster in the forest:

Hello, Petya! Come with us to build a winter hut! We will carry logs, hew poles, tear up wood chips, knead clay, make bricks, lay a stove, carry moss, caulk the walls, and you will cover the roof.

The rooster agreed too.

The friends chose a drier place in the forest, brought in logs, hewed poles, tore up wood chips, made bricks, brought in moss - and began to cut down the hut.

The hut was cut down, the stove was built, the walls were caulked, and the roof was covered. We prepared supplies and firewood for the winter.

Fierce winter has come, the frost has crackled. Some people are cold in the forest, but friends are warm in the winter hut. A bull and a ram are sleeping on the floor, a pig has climbed underground, a cat is singing songs on the stove, and a rooster is perched on a perch near the ceiling.

Friends live and grieve.

And seven hungry wolves wandered through the forest and saw a new winter hut. One, the bravest wolf, says:

Let me go, brothers, and see who lives in this winter hut. If I don't come back soon, come to the rescue.

A wolf entered the winter hut and fell straight on the ram.

The ram has nowhere to go. The ram hid in a corner and bleated in a terrible voice.

Ba-uh!.. Ba-uh!.. Ba-uh!..

The rooster saw the wolf, flew off his perch, and flapped his wings:

Ku-ka-re-ku-u!..

The cat jumped off the stove, snorted and meowed:

Me-oo-oo!.. Me-oo-oo!.. Me-oo-oo!..

A bull came running, horns of a wolf in the side:

Oooh!.. Oooh!.. Ooooh!..

And the pig heard that there was a battle going on upstairs, crawled out of hiding and shouted:

Oink!.. Oink!.. Oink!.. Who to eat here?

The wolf had a hard time; he barely escaped the trouble alive. He runs and shouts to his comrades:

Oh, brothers, go away! Oh, brothers, run!

The wolves heard it and ran away.

They ran for an hour, ran for two, sat down to rest, and their red tongues hung out.

And the old wolf caught his breath and said to them:

I entered, my brothers, into the winter hut, and I saw:

A scary and shaggy man stared at me. There was clapping at the top and snorting at the bottom! A horned, bearded man jumped out of the corner - horns hit me in the side!

And from below they shout: “Who can we eat here?” I didn’t see the light - and there... Oh, let’s run, brothers!..

The wolves rose, their tails like a pipe - only a pillar of snow.

The Sphinx of Giza is one of the oldest, largest and most mysterious monuments ever created by man. Disputes about its origin are still ongoing. We've collected 10 little-known facts about the majestic monument in the Sahara Desert.

1. The Great Sphinx of Giza is not a sphinx

Experts say that the Egyptian Sphinx cannot be called a traditional image of the Sphinx. In classical Greek mythology, the sphinx was described as a creature that had the body of a lion, the head of a woman, and the wings of a bird. At Giza there is actually a sculpture of an androsphinx, since it has no wings.

2. Initially, the sculpture had several other names

The ancient Egyptians did not originally call this giant creature the "Great Sphinx". The text on the "Dream Stele", dating from around 1400 BC, refers to the Sphinx as the "Statue of the Great Khepri". When the future pharaoh Thutmose IV slept next to her, he had a dream in which the god Khepri-Ra-Atum came to him and asked him to free the statue from the sand, and in return promised that Thutmose would become the ruler of all Egypt. Thutmose IV unearthed the statue, which had been covered with sand over centuries, which then became known as Horem-Akhet, which translates as “Horus on the horizon.” Medieval Egyptians called the Sphinx "balkhib" and "bilhou".

3. Nobody knows who built the Sphinx

Even today, people do not know the exact age of this statue, and modern archaeologists argue about who could have created it. The most popular theory is that the Sphinx arose during the reign of Khafre (Fourth Dynasty Ancient kingdom), i.e. The age of the statue dates back to approximately 2500 BC.

This pharaoh is credited with creating the Pyramid of Khafre, as well as the necropolis of Giza and a number of ritual temples. The proximity of these structures to the Sphinx has prompted a number of archaeologists to believe that it was Khafre who ordered the construction of the majestic monument with his face.

Other scientists believe that the statue is much older than the pyramid. They argue that the face and head of the statue show signs of obvious water damage and theorize that the Great Sphinx already existed during an era when the region faced extensive flooding (6th millennium BC).

4. Whoever built the Sphinx ran away from it headlong after the construction was completed

American archaeologist Mark Lehner and Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass discovered large stone blocks, tool sets and even fossilized dinners under a layer of sand. This clearly indicates that the workers were in such a hurry to get away that they did not even take their tools with them.

5. The laborers who built the statue were well fed

Most scholars think that the people who built the Sphinx were slaves. However, their diet suggests something completely different. Excavations led by Mark Lehner revealed that workers regularly dined on beef, lamb and goat.

6. The Sphinx was once covered in paint

Although the Sphinx is now a sandy gray color, it was once completely covered in bright paint. Remnants of red paint can still be found on the face of the statue, and there are traces of blue and yellow paint on the Sphinx's body.

7. The sculpture was buried under sand for a long time

The Great Sphinx of Giza fell victim to the quicksand of the Egyptian desert several times during its long existence. First famous restoration the almost complete burial of the sphinx under sand occurred shortly before the 14th century BC, thanks to Thutmose IV, who soon after became Egyptian pharaoh. Three millennia later, the statue was again buried under the sands. Until the 19th century, the statue's front paws were deep below the desert surface. The Sphinx was completely excavated in the 1920s.

8The Sphinx Lost Her Headdress In The 1920s

During the last restoration, part of the Great Sphinx's famous headdress fell off and its head and neck were seriously damaged. The Egyptian government hired a team of engineers to restore the statue in 1931. But that restoration used soft limestone, and in 1988, a 320-kilogram piece of the shoulder fell off, nearly killing a German reporter. After this, the Egyptian government again began restoration work.

9. After the construction of the Sphinx, there was a cult that worshiped it for a long time

Thanks to the mystical vision of Thutmose IV, who became pharaoh after unearthing a giant statue, a whole cult of Sphinx worship arose in the 14th century BC. The pharaohs who ruled during the New Kingdom even built new temples from which the Great Sphinx could be seen and worshiped.

10. The Egyptian sphinx is much kinder than the Greek one

The Sphinx's modern reputation as a cruel creature comes from Greek mythology, not Egyptian mythology. In Greek myths, the Sphinx is mentioned in connection with a meeting with Oedipus, to whom he asked a supposedly unsolvable riddle. In ancient Egyptian culture, the Sphinx was considered more benevolent.

11. It’s not Napoleon’s fault that the Sphinx doesn’t have a nose

The mystery of the Great Sphinx's missing nose has given rise to all sorts of myths and theories. One of the most common legends says that Napoleon Bonaparte ordered the nose of the statue to be broken off in a fit of pride. However, early sketches of the Sphinx show that the statue lost its nose before the birth of the French emperor.

12. The Sphinx was once bearded

Today, the remains of the Great Sphinx's beard, which was removed from the statue due to severe erosion, are kept in the British Museum and in the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, established in Cairo in 1858. However, French archaeologist Vasil Dobrev claims that the statue was not bearded from the very beginning, and the beard was added later. Dobrev argues that removing the beard, if it had been a component of the statue to begin with, would have damaged the statue's chin.

13. The Great Sphinx is the most ancient statue, but not the most ancient sphinx

The Great Sphinx of Giza is considered the oldest monumental sculpture in human history. If the statue is considered to date from Khafre's reign, the smaller sphinxes depicting his half-brother Djedefre and sister Netefere II are older.

14. Sphinx - the largest statue

The Sphinx, which is 72 meters long and 20 meters high, is considered the largest monolithic statue on the planet.

15. Several astronomical theories are associated with the Sphinx

The mystery of the Great Sphinx of Giza has led to a number of theories about the ancient Egyptians' supernatural understanding of the cosmos. Some scientists, such as Lehner, believe that the Sphinx with the pyramids of Giza is a giant machine for capturing and processing solar energy. Another theory notes the coincidence of the Sphinx, the pyramids and the Nile River with the stars of the constellations Leo and Orion.

The Sphynx cat has a special character, which corresponds to its unusual appearance. These creatures cannot be confused with any other cat breed. The main difference is that they do not have wool. Because of this appearance people treat them differently. Some categorically do not perceive animals that look like alien creatures next to them. But those who saw in them best qualities pets, never part with these cats, take care of them, sew different outfits for their purrs and simply adore them. But before you start exotic breed, you need to know who the Sphynx is and how to care for him - this is very important. After all, he will not survive without human attention. It is impossible to say exactly why cats lack hair, because they appeared as a result of natural mutations.

From history

The Egyptian Sphynx is one of the hairless cat breeds registered in the last century. As legends say, such animals were conductors between people and gods.

But there is information that the bald Sphynx cat was tamed in ancient times, during the time of the Aztecs, who worshiped unusual animals. These creatures were a living decoration of the palaces of the pharaohs of Egypt. There is evidence that a breed of unusual-looking cat existed at the beginning of the century in Mexico, Morocco and India. But because these animals were not given much importance, they became extinct.

Modern sphinxes appeared in the 60s of the last century in Canada. A shorthair cat gave birth to a completely hairless kitten. This became the reason to try to dissolve this unique breed, but the experiment was unsuccessful. Newborn kittens turned out to be non-viable due to a number of reasons, including lack of knowledge of genetics and incorrect breeding strategy.

But in 1975, the American state of Minnesota became the birthplace of an elite breed of kittens. An ordinary short-haired mother gave birth to a naked kitten, then another. Soon, kittens of a similar appearance were found in the Canadian city of Toronto. Two cats from this trio came to Europe and became the ancestors of the European branch. They were crossed with Devon Rex animals. And subsequent kittens of the Canadian Sphynx breed no longer have wrinkled skin (such skin folds only the neck and limbs were preserved).

The little sphinx still retains its wrinkled skin, but as it grows it becomes like an elegant figurine.

Breeds and colors of cats

The Sphynx cat has the following types:

• Canadian;
• Don;
• Petersburg

The most famous is the Canadian Sphynx, which has existed for almost half a century. The other two breeds are more than 15 years old and have not yet fully formed. These are the main types of sphinxes.

What does a modern Sphynx cat look like? This animal has a muscular body, a prominent muzzle, huge ears and oval-shaped eyes. It is not too large, but not small either. Until 1987, the Sphynx was the only hairless cat species, until a compassionate woman found a furless kitten on a city street. This happened in Rostov-on-Don. The savior decided that the foundling was sick. But it was a healthy kitten, which is considered the ancestor of a new species of sphinx, called the Don.

Both of these species are similar in that cats have no hair, but their appearance and body structure are different. The Canadian sphinx has more refined muscles. Donskoy is heavier and thicker in bones. It differs from the first species in having almond-shaped eyes that are slightly squinting.

When crossed oriental cat and a Don representative of the breed, they received the St. Petersburg appearance. This graceful sphinx has a different description. It has its own characteristics - medium size, tall and long limbs. The animal is smaller than the Don. The body is covered with a thin undercoat.

Sphynx colors come in a wide variety of colors:

1. Solid - black, blue, chocolate, purple, red, cream, white.
2. The tortoiseshell animal has two tones of pigmentation. For example, red and chocolate shades are present in the chocolate turtle.
3. Tabby, or marbled.
4. Biocolor - combination white and main color (tabby, tortoiseshell and solid color). More often one ear or tail is white.
5. Color point, or Siamese. Kittens are born white, but then the tip of the nose, tail, paws and edges of the ears become colored.

The Sphinx can change colors under the influence sun rays, his skin tans, just like a person’s.

How are they different from other cats?

Here is a description of the breed. These cats with a hot, suede-like rough body (you feel it when you take your pet in your arms) are not averse to sitting on the shoulder of the mistress or owner. Unlike their relatives of other breeds, they are calm about water procedures and rejoice at the opportunity to splash around. They have unusual paws with toes, between which there are membranes. Therefore, it is not difficult for cats to pick up food and put it in their mouth.

Besides the fact that these cats can be admired, they have enough advantages. They are attached to their owners. Being alone is stressful for them, so you should not get a Sphynx if the owners are often at work. Showing tenderness, cats nudge their owners with their muzzles and are ready to gaze for a long time with a bewitching gaze. The Sphynx cat loves when people pay attention to her and talk to her. Pets are artistic and know how to pose in front of television and video cameras.

A curious animal will always be close to household members and other pets. The Sphynx cat has a wonderful character. Aggression is not in her nature, so you can safely have such pets if there are children in the family. They can become good nannies for babies and help parents raise them. Given these qualities, the Sphynx cat is loved because it is smart and knows how to communicate. It is used as therapy for patients. They are turned on by adherents of spiritual practices.

The character of Sphynxes is very different from that of other breeds. These animals have no fear of dogs. They treat people as equals.

Another important difference is cleanliness. They will tolerate it, but will not go to the toilet if the tray is not cleaned.

Sphynxes love care

How to care for a Sphynx? Since hairless purrs do not have hair, they require special care and maintenance. They should be in well-heated rooms; for walks they will need warm clothes. Although it cannot be said that cats are very afraid of cool air.

Caring for Sphynx cats involves caring for their skin. Gentle cats may be affected by acne, sunburn, dermatitis, rashes, so they need to be bathed in the bathroom 2-3 times a week. If water treatments are impossible, then the pet’s skin should be wiped using a special antibacterial agent.

It is touching how sphinxes sleep - wrapped in a blanket. The head is placed on a pillow. They have a hot body (somewhat elevated temperature, unlike people), to whom they cuddle up to their mistress or owner during sleep. They sweat like people.

This breed requires special treatment.

Secretions accumulate in cats' ears, which requires periodic cleaning. Sphynx cats do not have eyelashes, so you need to take care of their eyes - wash them every day. Due to hyperfunction sebaceous glands may bother pets acne. This disease is inherited and depends on color. It occurs especially often in blue, cream and red sphinxes.

How to extend the life of cats

Can a Sphynx, if cared for with quality and nutritious food, live longer than usual? This question is sometimes asked by pet owners. But how long do sphinxes live? Like ordinary cats- up to 15 years, but the duration of existence depends on the following factors:

• pedigree;
• health conditions;
• care

If the parents were distinguished by longevity, then small sphinxes can live the same amount. With the right and balanced diet, proper care A cat of this breed has a chance to extend its life up to 20 years. Care and love for animals significantly increases their lifespan.

The animal becomes an adult by 7 months. A hairless Sphynx cat usually brings 3-4 kittens with folded skin. After 2-3 weeks, newborn babies begin to stand up and try to walk. At this time their ears are drooping. Active animals immediately show their unique abilities - intelligence and intelligence. They begin to participate in exhibitions at the age of 2–3 and continue to do so until old age.

Knowing everything about sphinxes, you don’t have to worry about how comfortable this wonderful creature will be in the house.

How to organize meals

Due to increased heat exchange, these animals have an excellent appetite and do not feel in moderation in food. A hairless cat can eat and chew constantly, and everything that comes into its paws goes into its mouth. This should not be allowed, because overeating and eating poor quality food is fraught with the development urolithiasis. Excessive consumption of meat can cause protein poisoning. If a cat eats often and in large quantities, then obesity develops. Malnutrition is also undesirable, it causes diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Rules for feeding:

1. Compliance with nutritional standards, food should be divided into portions.
2. It is required to maintain the regime.
3. You need to watch the cat. Shouldn't be near her toxic substances, plants that an animal might try out of curiosity.

If your pet suddenly becomes lethargic and loses its appetite, you should immediately show it to a veterinarian.

A Sphynx kitten needs to be given more food than a representative of another breed. Since he has no fur, he is active and runs around a lot. Feeding frequency is 6–8 times a day. He needs to eat 25 g of food at one time. And so on until 3 months. By 0.5 years, you need to develop a new regime: the number of feedings is reduced to 2-3 times, the volume of food received increases to 50 g.

What to feed the Sphynx

What is included in the baby's diet? It resembles a child's menu. Month old kitten receives semolina porridge, formula, milk and egg yolk. By 2 months, the kitten needs a supplement in the form of calcined cottage cheese, cheese and shredded beef or chicken breast(1 tsp).

From the age of 3 months, his diet becomes more varied; raw and boiled meat is included in the menu.

The baby may not refuse vegetables, fruits and herbs seasoned with vegetable oil.

What to feed a Sphynx cat? It is best to give natural products. For an animal to be healthy and active, it needs high-quality food. On the list natural products should be: beef meat, chicken fillet(skin and bones are removed), liver, cereals (rice, buckwheat, wheat cereal), vegetables and fruits, greens (spinach, parsley), egg yolk, fermented milk products, cheese.

Weekly diet:

1. Raw meat (no more than 40 g) and clean filtered water are needed daily.
2. Once a week it is allowed to feed boiled sea lean fish, liver, kefir or cottage cheese, egg yolk(can be added to food), cheese.
3. Beef or chicken kidneys, lungs and hearts are given frozen or boiled (can be with cereals and oatmeal) 2–3 times a week.
4. 3-4 times a week cats need boiled chicken and brewer's yeast.

To be strong teeth, give them crackers to chew on; for this, a chicken neck once a week would be appropriate. Vegetable oil, green grass (oats and wheat can grow in a pot on the windowsill), added to a cat's dish, will help improve your pet's digestion.

If you have an upset stomach, you can switch to fermented milk products for 3 days. If this was not enough, then the help of a veterinarian will be required.

Feeding without problems

Sometimes it happens that there is no time to cook or go shopping, but you need to feed your cat. There is a way to provide it with nutrition, armed with the following recipe.

Prepare:

• 1 kg of lean beef or chicken breast minced;
• 150 g low-fat cheese;
• 2 carrots;
• some greens, cauliflower and seaweed;
• 1 chicken yolk or 3 quail;
• 5 chalk tablets;
• 20 drops of vitamin D;
• brewer's yeast (1 tbsp.) - to replenish the balance of B vitamins.

From all this you need to form portioned balls or small pancakes and put them in the freezer. This food is convenient to take out and defrost as needed. And the cat will get it good nutrition necessary for growth and maintenance of health.

You can give ready-made feed, which are sold in the store, but only high-quality premium or super-premium varieties. Cheap food can harm the health of the animal, as it contains additives that do not provide any benefit, but only give a temporary feeling of fullness.

According to the rules, organized care and maintenance, feeding, love and care will help you have an affectionate friend or girlfriend next to you for a long time. In addition, sphinxes have a character quite suitable for while away the evenings with them, which is important for lonely people.