Burried on and off uptill it's neck in sand for 4500 years, the Sphinx was finally cleared again to reveal a lion's body in 1926.

The Sphinx owes it's name to the ancient Greeks, for who it resembled a mythical winged monster with a woman's head and lion's body, killing anyone who was unable to answer it's riddles... (Now a days that job it strictly reserved to the local camel owners and hasslers.)

The nose was cut off by an Arab in the 15th century. Napoleon's soldiers also took some shots at the head. It's fallen beard is on display in London's British Museum.