CAIRO: Before the Sphinx was sculpted to become one of the emblems of Egypt, ancient Egyptians knew that ground water had been running beneath the rock from which the statue was carved, said Zahi Hawass, head of the Supreme Council of Antiquities. Hawass spoke during the centennial celebration of the German Archaeological Institute in Cairo, refuting recent reports warning that the Sphinx was in danger. "Those who say that the statue is going to collapse within 60 days are unspecialized and are only seeking propaganda through the media. Do you think the official antiquities authorities will keep quiet if that statement is true? said Hawass. "This would literally mean that 50 days are left before the Sphinx collapses. This is nonsense publicized by the media only to cause unnecessary ripples. "The Sphinx is safe, stressed Hawass The underground water at the Pyramids plateau has always been on the agenda of the council. The site is surrounded by agricultural fields and residential areas, all of which consume water profusely, said Hawass. "The Sphinx has been sitting atop ground water since time immemorial. The water level is currently five meters below base of the statue. "When we restored the Sphinx, we took all the precautionary measures to reinforce the base of this rock. As for the neck and the face, they are intact and can't be endangered by the water, reassured Hawass. As soon as the water in the area began to surface, the SCA contacted the archaeological engineering department at Cairo University and formed a team of specialists that are currently investigating the source of these pools of water, he elaborated. "We can't simply take action before we survey the area. I personally can't say anything without referring to experts; I am an archaeologist, not a geologist. My statement regarding the safety of the statue is based on geological reports. "This is how things are done. We can't quote unspecialized people who make statements based on simple visits to the site and start reacting to their comments. The problem of water would be solved through the collaboration of several specialists, but it isn't threatening the statue. Hawass said, however, that the issue has been equally important at all the archaeological sites in other parts of Egypt. "We have spent millions of pounds to save the antiquities in Giza and elsewhere. Take, for example, the temples at Luxor. The Luxor and the Karnak Temples in that major tourist attraction were seriously jeopardized by underground water. I could see with my own eyes the water lying one meter under the Luxor Temple. "These sites as well as others can be saved after we conduct the necessary studies . the antiquities department is aware of the problem and we do regular check-ups on all sites, said Hawass.
