The Great Sphinx

The Great Sphinx

The Great Sphinx of Giza is located on the Nile River in Egypt.  It is the largest and oldest statue in the world.  With the head of a man and the body of a lion, the Sphinx stands 241ft long, 20ft wide, and 65ft tall.  The Sphinx is believed to have been built by the ancient Egyptians some 5000 years ago.  The Sphinx was carved from a monolith of limestone bedrock.  Limestone is made from the mineral calcite.  Calcite comes from evaporated seas, lakes and the shells of marine animals.  

Click on the link below to watch a short video about the Sphinx

http://www.history.com/videos/the-great-sphinx-is-the-worlds-oldest-statue#the-great-sphinx-is-the-worlds-oldest-statue