Few ancient structures have caused as much controversy as the Great Sphinx in the Giza Valley in Egypt. Scientists, archaeologists and historians have long discussed its age, purpose of construction, original appearance, and the mysterious Egyptian sculpture raised more questions than answers.
In addition to all the unsolved puzzles, there is also a controversial theory that suggests that the Sphinx once had a twin. If so, what happened to the second sphinx in Egypt? Was it and how was it destroyed?
The theory that the Great Sphinx of Giza may not have been alone has been advanced by historians Jerry Cannon and Malcolm Hutton. Working with Egyptologist Bassam el-Shamma, Cannon and Hatton are convinced that there was once a second Sphinx, and they think they have evidence that can prove its existence.
The second sphinx was a woman, and the statue disappeared under unexplained circumstances. Cannon claims, however, that he was able to find the trail of the lost statue by analyzing structures in the area around the pyramids.
The second sphinx was on the second mound next to the male sphinx, who stood guard in front of one of the Great Pyramids. This means that the statues had to be carved when the area had a much warmer and more fertile climate. In ancient times, several thousand years ago, this vast area was fertile meadows.
Today, there is ample evidence to suggest that the Sahara Desert was once a grazing ecosystem and was a much wetter place than it is today. At this time, the Great Sphinx and its satellite were to be built.
“The Sphinx was carved out when there was no sand. You cannot carve a stone while it is under the sand. When it wasn't under the sand, it was about 12,000 years ago, and the Egyptians weren't there,”Cannon said.
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Another piece of evidence that speaks in favor of the second sphinx is the Sleep Stele or the Sphinx Stele created during the time of Pharaoh Thutmose IV. The two sphinxes are clearly depicted on this stele.
El Shammaa examined images taken by NASA's Endeavor satellite. In his opinion, the great Sphinx has an underground anomaly, and he thinks that these are the remains of a twin.
What destroyed the second sphinx is unknown, but El Shammaa speculated that it could have been lightning.
Most Egyptologists are not interested in studying the theory of the two sphinxes. Cannon and Hutton have many who support their theory of the Sphinx, but there is also a lot of opposition among Egyptologists who think the idea is contrived.
In 2003, they were able to contact Zahi Havas, an Egyptian archaeologist, Egyptologist and former Minister of State for Antiquities, and asked him to confirm his assumptions.
Haass's answer was simple and negative, Cannon said. Hawass stated that he had no intention of cooperating with Cannon, as he was only working and helping serious, respectable institutions.
The theory that there was a second sphinx at Giza is not all that unusual. Archaeological discoveries indicate that sphinxes are always built in pairs. Without an open mind, we will never be able to solve the double sphinx puzzle. At the present time, the possible existence of a second unknown sphinx remains an unsolved ancient mystery.
We tend to associate the Sphinx with Egypt, but this intriguing creature was well known in many other ancient places. Ancient civilizations considered the Sphinx to be a keeper of knowledge and a symbol of mysteries and intrigue.
