Egyptian Dreams

[CSM]

We know subsequent pharaohs often usurped monuments of their predecessors. As far as I know, this was usually by replacing the 'old pharaoh's' cartouche with the cartouche of the usurper.

Is there any evidence of statuary actually being recarved into the image of the usurper? Building on this, like the topic states, does anyone know if there is legitimate evidence to suggest the head/face of the Sphinx was not only restored during the New Kingdom but also usurped and recarved? This could possibly explain why the head seems too small and out of proportion to the body.

Thanks for any help.

[anneke]

There's an interesting discussion here online.

The short version is that El Mahdy has suggested that possibly Tuthmosis IV not only placed the dream stela between the paws after clearing the monument of excessive sand, but may have also done a touch up on the face.

I don't know enough about the Egyptian language to say what the proper translation is and if there is a suggestion of a recarving, but it sounds interesting.

I'm not sure what would have caused Tuthmosis IV to recarve the head though. Unless it was so severely weatered / damaged that it was necessary?

[CSM]

Thank you very much for the link. An interesting read to say the least...

[Lutz]

[Osiris II]

I don't know what you mean by "twisted", Lutz.
The portion in the BM is just the usual braided false beard.
Actually, the dis-proportion of the head compared to the body is a very stong suggestive element that the head was re-carved at some time. Anneke's suggestion of a "touch-up" makes sense.

[Lutz]

[Lutz]

[creamcrackered]

i heard somewhere that the sphinx used to have wings. is this true. if so what happened to them.

[anneke]

[CSM]

I always thought the the Greek Sphinx had wings...the Egyptian Sphinx is something else entirely and would not even be known as "The Sphinx" if it weren't for the Greeks...

[Diorite]