Thought you'd like to see the real thing... if you look closely you'll notice that the detailed 3d models and renderings of Riddle of the Sphinx™ are extremely accurate. Compare these real images with the Riddle of the Sphinx™ scenes.

Photos of the Giza Sphinx

Just how big is the Sphinx?
Here are the answers to that and many other questions...

Namesake:

Conventional wisdom says Khafre (Chephren), but not enough evidence is available to prove its identity.

Dimensions:

Length: 240 ft.

Height: 66 ft. (20m) – 30 ft. from chin to head

Width: Face 20 ft. (6m)

Weight: Hasn't been determined.

Material:

Carved from natural limestone. Since (and even during) antiquity the Sphinx has been repaired using bricks or blocks and some mortar.

Tidbits:

There is a current debate (gentle term for what's really happening) over the actual age of the Sphinx. Some, such as archaeologist John Anthony West, believe the Sphinx is at least 12,000 years old. While orthodox views, as held by archaeologist Dr. Mark Lehner, maintain the Sphinx is no older than 4,500 years. What's the difference? Well, if West is correct it means there was an advanced civilization before the ancient Egyptians that constructed not only the Sphinx, but possibly the Great Pyramid.

There has been a lot of activity on the Giza Plateau as of late–mostly concerning the Sphinx. Of the attention paid, startling facts have arisen. (see Giza Gazette)

If you have any additional information to add, let me know.

The Sphinx with Cheops (Khufu) right; Chephren (Khafre) left.

 

An aerial shot of the Sphinx Enclosure; the restoration obvious.

 

Taken in 1860, the Sphinx (w/Cheops in background)
was reclaimed by the desert sand.

Many travelers through the ages reported seeing only the head of the Sphinx peeking out from under the sand. With the body not visible, it wasn't known to exist. Napolean's visit in 1798 inspired this etching (the sketch below is a replica of the original etching).

Replica of etching by one of Napolean's engineers.

Assuming that the orientation of this etching was accurate, other pyramids existed during Napolean's time. Reports have surfaced lately that support this hypothesis; finding apparent square "bases" on the Giza Plateau.

How many pyramids did the ancient Egyptians built on the plateau?

 

Photos of the Great Pyramid(s) of Egypt

Just how big is the Great Pyramid of Cheops?
Here are the answers to that and many other questions...

Namesake:

The son of Sneferu, Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops), according to history, was the first pyramid of the Giza necropolis c.2,500 B.C.

Dimensions:

Base: originally 754 sq. ft. / currently 745 sq. ft. (w/o casing) Roughly equivalent to 13 sq. acres.

Height: originally 481 ft. / currently 449 ft. (missing capstone)

Angle of Incline: 51° 50' 35"

No. of Blocks Used: 2,300,000

Ave. Weight of Each Block: 2.5 tons

Total Weight: 6.5 million tons

Material:

Mainly quarried limestone. However, granite was used in the chambers and for the sarcophagus.

Tidbits:

The capstone is missing giving the Great Pyramid a blunt point, which is why Chephrens Pyramid is currently slightly higher. Originally a polished casing of limestone covered the entire pyramid (still visible on the upper most part of Khafre's (Chephren's) Pyramid.There were accounts of the seams being so precise one couldn't insert a piece of paper in between any two casing blocks. Egyptian lore states that the casing blocks were polished so evenly that a reflection was visible. Supposedly the sun would turn the then polished monument into a glowing beacon.

 

Neither the mummy of Khufu (Cheops) nor his treasure have ever been recovered leading speculation of hidden, undiscovered chambers in the Great Pyramid.

The Great Pyramid of Cheops is the last surviving of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Lately, a few interesting discoveries have taken place within the Great Pyramid. (see Giza Gazette)

 

If you have any additional information to add, let me know.

Aerial view of the Great Pyramid of Cheops.
In disrepair, but still standing.

 

Aerial view of all three Pyramids of the Giza Plateau. At this level you can clearly see the absence of Cheops' capstone.
Front to back: Cheops (Khufu), Chephren (Khafre), and Mycerinus (Menkaure)

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NOTE: All of the photos (not the sketch) are the property of BC Video, Inc. You do not have permission to use these images. Contact Bill Cote at 212-242-4065 for more information.

For The Mystery of the Sphinx video, from which the images where taken, call 1-800-846-9682.