The EARLIEST Image of the Great Sphinx of Egypt? Pre-Dynastic?!

The Narmer Pallette is a ceremonial palette dating back to the 31st century BC. It depicts Narmer, the first ruler of the First Dynasty, overcoming the people of northern Egypt. But does it show the first ever depiction of the Sphinx?

If so, it would mean the Sphinx is a Pre-Dynastic sculpture, made by the Maadi Culture people of the north, before it’s head and body were re-shaped.

Most experts would disagree and say it’s an early hieroglyphic symbol, but I’m not so sure.

There is only one other depiction of this and it’s on the Metropolitan knife handle, also dating to Narmer. What do you think? Comment below.

#ancientarchitects #ancientegypt #narmerpalette

[bubaks]

That would suggest that the legs were added at a later date. I cant wait to see your video on the sphinx. Your trip to Egypt with history for granite has me giddy with delight. Really cant wait to see the footage and analysis.

[hvactooltester]

Looks like it depicts mummification, the body wrapped, the bird putting the hook in the nose.

[mikereddy-xf]

A major concern I have is that there is a dearth of documented objects from this time and place.
Without other associated artifacts it is only an assumption that this is representative of the early Dynastic culture.

[scottzema]

I think that the palette indeed may show the Sphinx, an ancient Neolithic monument. What I think is that you may have pointed out something important beyond the fact that Narmer on this face of the palette wears the crown of Upper Egypt and that what is depicted is the conquest of Lower Egypt. One now notices the symbol of Narmer's phratry or tribe being the hawk, and the symbol of the conquered Delta peoples being the papyrus and the Sphinx. The hawk holds captive the Sphinx. So what the Sphinx perhaps was was an ancient carving not of a lion but of a ruler, from as long as seven or eight thousand years previously, the earliest monument on the Giza plateau and the symbol of lower Egypt. Well done!

[Rightwinger]

Why is EVERYTHING archeology finds either ceremonial, sacrificial or somehow worshiped by people in the past?
EVERYTHING they find!!

[nathandavis]

I’m interested in the bird that has the hook in the nose of the figure below it. Makes me think of the mummification rites where they take the brains out. Maybe it’s presenting the idea that the god Ra is performing the rite himself on a pharaoh.

[wuzgoanon]

That depiction of the sphinx does not show the legs and body. It looks as if it was partially buried in sand. Was it buried that deep during this time period? If so, I wonder how long it had been buried at that time.

[danatowne]

Their own culture says they started way before WE think they did. There are depictions in hieroglyphs of a lion in that pose as well - we can not know if that is also the Sphinx, pre head carving as human. I don't know why people have to think they "know" so much about things they were not there to see.

[raider_reaper_]

Theres only 2 depictions of the Sphinx and none of the Pyramids? 🤯

[anonony]

So what are those things coming out of its back?

[historybuff]

This is one of my favorite artifacts. I love reading it (the names and titles), and looking at the art on it. I only wish there were more of these palettes for other kings.

[vololudo]

We were recently in England and went to the British Museum. I showed this to my wife and she thought it looked like the sphinx too

[Matthew--]

It could have merit, for one the Sphinx's front legs were made from stones if i remember correctly. And if the things carved on the back could have been removed or changed due to flaw in design. We already know the head was recarved once, but most likely multiple times! It does kinda look like a mummy in burial or something towards the religion, worship and devotion. who knows they most likely got more advanced as time from early days to the final days of Egyptians! Just trying to think rational Lol

[nicolasfranco]

Just because a sphinx has been drawn on a palette does not mean that they built the Sphinx or that they did it at the same time.

[ABCFacts]

The other defeated enemies seem to have a symbol suggesting their names next to their heads. The kneeling guy could be Wash, a predynastic Pharaoh whose existence is uncertain.

[williambeckett]

No, it is not. It is considered the defeated people of upper Egypt. The falcon, representing Namer is holding a noose hooked through their nose. A symbol of subjugation.

[penneyburgess]

Do you think the hole on the back of the Sphinx was originally for the fan on its back?

[FacesintheStone]

Super cool. I bet you they’re are earlier ones that we just do not recognize yet.

[catman]

Could the person be a prisoner being dragged around by his nose?

[bubaks]

Wait what was that colored depiction you showed?