The Bizarre 'Ear Tablets' of the Great Sphinx of Egypt

When we think of stone stele of Ancient Egypt, we think of hieroglyphic writing, depictions of gods, kings, and sacred animals, so imagine finding a stele with a depiction of a giant ear?

It doesn’t seem like your average Ancient Egyptian artefact, but this isn’t actually a one off; it was found amongst dozens of ear stele, and amazingly, they were found around the Great Sphinx of Giza.


Whilst excavating in the 1930s, Dr Selim Hasan found numerous examples in and around the New Kingdom Sphinx Temple of Amenhotep II, and also the Sphinx monument itself.


They really are some of the most interesting artefacts I’ve come across in my research.

But how were they used? What were they for?


Watch this video to find out.


00:00 Introduction to Ear Tablets

01:16 The Purpose of Ear Tablets

04:18 The Sphinx in the New Kingdom

05:49 Examples of Sphinx Ear Tablets

09:37 Under the Ears of the Sphinx

10:25 Ear Stele of Other Egyptian Gods

11:50 Conclusion


Matt Sibson
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