Cairo - Egypt 4/11/2010
An archaeological mission led by the Council of Egyptian Antiquities brings to light a part of a long wall built around the Sphinx, in order to protect against wind and sand.
A team of archaeologists led by Zahui Hawass, the media secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt, pointing to a long brick wall which date corresponds to the reign of Thoutmosis IV. This wall was built 3,400 years ago around the Sphinx to protect against sand and wind.
The remains of two parts unl wall were discovered on the Giza plateau: the first measures 75 inches high and extends about 86 meters from north to south along the side Khephren the temple, the second measures 90 cm in height and located north of the temple over a length of 46 meters. Up to now, only a fraction is considered as an element of independent construction; this is another piece of 3 meters high and 12 meters in length. This new discovery proves the contrary that the sculpture was once completely surrounded and protected by a large fence.
For prof. Hawass, this wall whose existence was confirmed by some ancient texts, in the reign of daterebbe Thoutmosis IV. According to legend, decided after this building had a dream in which the Sphinx would ask him to free her from the sand and protect it, promising in return that he would become pharaoh. Excavations are continuing on the site so to find other items in this enclosure. In addition, the Egyptian team to unearth the remains of a brick wall. According to Professor. Hawass, there may be vestiges of the foundations of the Pyramid of Khephren.
(article published in the French press artclair.com)
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