The nose of the Egyptian sphinx was damaged by artillery fire in 1798 during Napoleon's expedition in Egypt.
For thousands of years, the sand-laden wind has regularly struck the face of the sphinx, acting as a true natural sandpaper. These desert storms, common in Egypt, have gradually worn away the more fragile contours of the sculpture, particularly its nose. The wear caused by the strong fluctuations between scorching days and cool nights has led to cracks in the limestone, gradually accentuating the deterioration of the rock. As a result, through being patiently sanded down and cracked by the weather, the nose of the sphinx eventually disappeared.
The nose of the Sphinx has primarily suffered willful damage caused by humans. For example, in the 14th century, a Sufi religious figure named Muhammad Sa'im al-Dahr is said to have deliberately destroyed its nose to protest against the local veneration of this statue, which he considered pagan. Later, soldiers of Napoleon Bonaparte were sometimes wrongly accused of using the Sphinx's nose as a target for training during their military expedition in Egypt around 1798. Despite the popularity of this legend, historians now acknowledge that the nose had already disappeared long before the arrival of the French. In reality, over the centuries, various visitors may have deliberately damaged the statue with chisels to mutilate it or retrieve parts as adventures or personal souvenirs. These acts of vandalism often reflect religious or ideological motivations, revealing how a heritage icon can suffer the destructive effects of divergent beliefs and symbolic acts.
A popular but false legend often attributes the destruction of the Sphinx's nose to the soldiers of Napoleon Bonaparte, accusing them of using the millennia-old statue as a cannon target. But sorry for Napoleon, this story is more myth than historical fact. In reality, engravings made before the arrival of the French already show the Sphinx missing its nose. Other accounts mention a 14th-century religious figure named Muhammad Sa'im al-Dahr, who supposedly intentionally destroyed the nose to protest against local popular beliefs, irritated by the idolatry surrounding this ancient figure. This hypothesis remains popular, even though it lacks irrefutable evidence. Stories mixing superstition, religious anger, or military exploits abound, but frankly, none have garnered universal agreement today.
Air pollution seriously threatens the integrity of monuments like the Sphinx. Polluted air, particularly from exhaust gases, chemically interacts with limestone, making the rock more fragile and brittle. As a result, it wears down more easily, erasing delicate details over the years. Additionally, with thousands of tourists flocking each year to take their selfies in front of the monument, the risks of abrasion from raised dust and foot traffic significantly increase. Even if you don't touch it, your presence alone is enough to accelerate degradation due to vibrations, moisture, and constant foot traffic, gradually weakening the entire site.
Experts estimate that frequent changes in humidity due to increased tourism and restoration work are now posing an even greater threat to the integrity of the monument than natural influences alone.
The main material used to sculpt the Sphinx, soft limestone, is particularly vulnerable to erosion, making it susceptible to damage from the repeated action of wind and sand.
Arab historians from the Middle Ages report that in the 13th century, a religious figure allegedly broke the nose of the Sphinx intentionally to protest against the worship and pagan practices associated with the statue.
The Great Sphinx remained buried up to its neck for a long time, which paradoxically preserved it from even greater deterioration during these centuries of being buried in sand.
It is essential to control tourist access, install physical barriers, and limit exposure to external elements. In addition, experts recommend regular maintenance and scientific conservation programs to sustainably preserve these historical monuments.
Unlike popular legend, there is no solid historical evidence confirming that Napoleon's soldiers destroyed the nose of the Sphinx during the Egypt campaign. Sketches made before Napoleon's arrival already show the Sphinx without its nose.
Yes, beyond its nose, the Sphinx has also suffered the loss of other elements such as its ceremonial beard (of which pieces are now displayed in various museums). It has also endured significant damage to its face, neck, and body due to erosion, vandalism, and the elements.
Yes, many Egyptian sculptures have suffered similar damage, whether intentional or not. Noses and other features have often been targeted during religious or political vandalism throughout history, as well as being degraded by the elements and pollution.
Although a reconstruction is technically possible, it is generally not recommended to add modern elements to this historical monument in order to preserve its authenticity and archaeological integrity. Furthermore, recreating the nose would provide little interest for historians and Egyptologists.
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