Two Sphinxes existed on the
Pyramids Plateau, claims a new study by Egyptologist Bassam El Shammaa. Ancient Egyptian records
and
mythology inform that the other sphinx adjacent to the famous half man, half loin sphinx has been destroyed by lightening due to the curse.
El Shammaa supports his claim with the ancient Egyptian concept of duality. Texts found at Wanis Pyramid contain description of formation of the universe. Atum, the creator god created his son Shu and daughter Tefnut, as lion and a lioness and put each on an extreme tip of the universe. "Shu was to take the solar disc between his jaws and hand it to his sister Tefnut who in turn would capture it between her jaws. This dualism expresses the full cycle of the Sun. The twin avenue of the ram-headed Sphinxes at Karnak pylon and human-headed Sphinxes at the Temple of Luxor also accentuate dualism.
General belief, however, is that a single colossal statue is meant as a guard to the
pyramids on the Pyramids Plateau.