Happy Earth Hour!
This is how the Great Sphinx, for most of its long history, looked at the end of each day: crouched in the darkness, barely more than a silhouette.
For the Egyptians, this was an unsettling time. Each day was a cliff-hanger, as the sun-god sank below the horizon to face an uncertain future. Thankfully their prayers were answered and Ra emerged at dawn, having triumphed over the many demons and dangers in the Underworld.
Tonight, for 60 minutes, those fortunate enough to be at Giza will have the chance to feel that same chill, as the Great Sphinx waits to greet another dawn.
Earth Hour is at 8:30 p.m. local time. Around the world, some of the world’s most famous landmarks are plunged into darkness as the lights are switched off to save greenhouse gasses and highlight the threat of climate change.
This photo was taken during the second Earth Hour in 2009 by Shawn Baldwin.
Enjoyed this article? Want to know more about ancient Egypt? Subscribe and have Nile Magazine delivered to your door. Enjoy your Nile time!