Phase VI of the Sphinx conservation
(1989-present)
Since it was uncovered by Baraize in 1926 the Sphinx has been under siege from many elements. These are:
1) The rising water table.
2) Vibrations emanating from aircraft and vehicular traffic, especially buses, in the immediate vicinity of the area.
3) People living around the Sphinx, in particular the villagers of Nazlet-el-Samman and Kafr-el-Gebel. The population of the former has now reached 200,000.
4) The leaking of waste water from nearby villages which lack sewage containment systems.
5) The modern construction of the Sound and Light show installation and the cutting of the tunnels for cables.
6) Climatic factors, such as rain and fluctuations in humidity and temperature.
7) Modern technology, such as factories near the monument and the resulting pollution.
The practice of utilizing stop-gap and harmful methods of conservation, restoration, particularly those using cement and gypsum on the mother rock of the Sphinx's lion body.
9) The limestone quarry near the Giza plateau, which uses dynamite to pulverize lime for use in sugar factories.
Since 1988 many foreign experts have come to the Sphinx to investigate and offer solutions to these problems. All have agreed that the new casing stones and the cement should be taken off immediately.
In 1989 a Sphinx committee, consisting of appointees from different divisions of the EAO and from Egyptian universities, was established. Under the late DR. Sayed Tawilk, the chairman of the E.A.O. To whom we Owe a great deal of thanks, the support and the efforts of Mr. Farouk Hosni, the Minister of Culture was very important for the success of the project. In addition, the late Sayed Tawilk and the author, among others, appointed a group of specialists who were to work on the site.
The team used the elevations and plans that had been produced in 1979 by the American Research Center in Egypt. Sphinx project and that of the German Institute as guides to begin restoring the contours of the Sphinx as they existed prior to 1982-88 interventions.
The project was divided into three phases. The first, which is currently drawing to a close, has consisted of carrying out many scientific studies as well as doing restorations work in select areas.
