Alabaster Sphinx of Memphis

E40013

The Alabaster Sphinx of Memphis is a large, finely carved sphinx statue from ancient Egypt, likely dating to the New Kingdom, renowned for its craftsmanship and association with the former capital city of Memphis.


Statements (49)
Predicate Object
instanceOf ancient Egyptian monument
archaeological artifact
sphinx statue
associatedReligion ancient Egyptian religion
associatedWith Ptah temple complex at Memphis
city of Memphis
category Egyptian sphinxes
New Kingdom of Egypt sculptures
stone sculptures in Egypt
country Egypt
craftsmanship highly refined
culture ancient Egyptian
currentUse open-air museum exhibit
tourist attraction
depicts human-headed lion
recumbent sphinx
discoveredAt Memphis archaeological site
discoveredBy Auguste Mariette
discoveredNear Temple of Ptah ruins
discoveryDate 19th century
era circa 1400 BCE
feature finely carved facial features
human head
inscriptions on base
lion body
nemes headdress
royal uraeus cobra
function guardian statue
royal monument
guardianOf temple precincts of Memphis
hasConservationStatus exposed to weathering
height approximately 4 meters
heritageStatus part of Memphis and its Necropolis UNESCO World Heritage Site
length approximately 8 meters
likelyDatingTo 18th Dynasty of Egypt
reign of Amenhotep II
reign of Hatshepsut
locatedIn Memphis, Egypt
Mit Rahina open-air museum
material alabaster
calcite
notableFor association with ancient capital Memphis
fine workmanship
use of translucent alabaster
orientation lying on its belly
period New Kingdom of Egypt
publicAccess yes
style New Kingdom royal style
weight approximately 80 tons

Referenced by (6)

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