Riddles of the Sphinx

With its human head and body of a crouching lion (symbolizing majesty), the Great Sphinx of Egypt has fascinated scholars and visitors for more than 4,000 years. Who built it and what does it represent? This PBS-aired NOVA documentary from filmmaker Gary Glassman examines the mystery of this wonder of the ancient world while also sketching a fascinating portrait of the society and workforce that created it. Tapping the expertise of archeologist Mark Lehner, who has spent more than 30 years excavating in Egypt, Riddles of the Sphinx explains how vast numbers of carvers and laborers used copper chisels and stone hammers to hew the Sphinx—the largest statue ever built in Egypt—from the plentiful limestone at the site, once part of an inland sea. Along the way, viewers learn interesting tidbits, such as the fact that this so-called guardian to the afterlife, situated in a vast “city of the dead,” was once brightly colored. Scholars also recount the golden age of Egypt's Old Kingdom, describing the role of astronomy (particularly the sun), which shaped Egyptian views about life, death, and immortality. Looking at the contemporary fate of the Sphinx, Zahi Hawass—head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities—describes efforts to stop the treasure's deterioration in the face of tourism, traffic, and other threats. Informative and engaging, this is recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)