Francis Burke, age 15, of Williamsport, Penna., or the questions

When was the Great Sphinx built?

The eyes of the Great Sphinx at Giza have gazed oust the Nile for almost 600 years. The hugs statue was carved for Khafre, Pharaoh of Egypt, about 2,600 B. C. It is 172 fret long and 66 feet tall. It has the body of a lion and its massive bird wings are folded to its sides. Its head and face are supposed to be a portrait of Khafre.

The Great Sphinx was set to guard the tomb of Khafre. This tomb is the second of the three great pyramids which stand in the desert at Giza. The altar rests between the paws of the Sphinx. It is believed that this altar was built for a much older temple when the ancient Egyptians paid homage to the sun.