Which culture produced the Great Sphinx?

• A. Egyptian
• B. Greek
• C. Sumerian
• D. Roman

Answer: (A)

The key idea is recognizing where and in what tradition the Great Sphinx was created. This monumental sculpture is located on the Giza Plateau in Egypt and is carved in the manner of ancient Egyptian royal art—a lion’s body with a human head wearing the nemes headdress. That combination of form and symbolism reflects Egyptian beliefs about kingship, protection, and the power of the pharaoh. The Sphinx likely served as a guardian figure for the pyramid complex and is tied to the sun-themed religious system of ancient Egypt, dating to the Old Kingdom period.

Because of its location, style, and purpose, it clearly belongs to ancient Egyptian culture. Greek, Sumerian, and Roman cultures produced impressive works, but they do not share this distinctive Egyptian combination of royal iconography, monumental scale on the Giza plateau, and temple-guardian associations.