Sphinxes in the background from "The Ten Commandments." (Image source: YouTube)
© 2024 Blaze Media LLC. All rights reserved.
Archaeological Dig Is Scouring Sand Dunes for Sphinxes — but Not in Egypt
October 18, 2014
Another sphinx was partially exhumed in 2012 but money ran out.
GUADALUPE, Calif. (TheBlaze/AP) — Archaeologists working in these sand dunes are digging up ancient sphinxes — but not the ones you're probably most familiar with.
Giant imitations of an ancient Egyptian scene were constructed more than 90 years ago along the Central California coast for the silent black-and-white classic movie "The Ten Commandments."
Sphinxes in the background from "The Ten Commandments." (Image source: YouTube)
When filming was over for the 1923 movie, legendary director Cecil B. DeMille left them there among the sands of the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes in Santa Barbara County. (DeMille also directed the remake of "The Ten Commandments" in 1956.)
This week archaeologists excavated a crumbling plaster sphinx from the ruins.
Another sphinx was partially exhumed in 2012 but money ran out. When crews went back, that sphinx was too damaged to retrieve but they found another.
What can be removed will eventually be on display at the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center, which raised $120,000 for the most recent dig.
Here's a clip from the 1923 film:
Want to leave a tip?
We answer to you. Help keep our content free of advertisers and big tech censorship by leaving a tip today.
Want to join the conversation?
Already a subscriber?
Sr. Editor, News
Dave Urbanski is a senior editor for Blaze News.
DaveVUrbanski
Dave Urbanski
Sr. Editor, News
Dave Urbanski is a senior editor for Blaze News and has been writing for Blaze News since 2013. He has also been a newspaper reporter, a magazine editor, and a book editor. He resides in New Jersey. You can reach him at durbanski@blazemedia.com.
@DaveVUrbanski →more stories
Sign up for the Blaze newsletter
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content that may sometimes include advertisements. You may opt out at any time.
© 2024 Blaze Media LLC. All rights reserved.
Get the stories that matter most delivered directly to your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content that may sometimes include advertisements. You may opt out at any time.