10 Brilliantly Carved Stone Sculptures By Our Ancestors
The Great Sphinx of Giza: Located in Egypt, the Great Sphinx is a colossal limestone statue with the head of a human and the body of a lion. It is believed to have been built during the reign of Pharaoh Khafre in the 26th century BCE.
Moai Statues: Found on Easter Island, the Moai statues are massive stone figures carved by the Rapa Nui people. These monolithic sculptures depict ancestral figures and range in height, with the largest reaching over 30 feet.
Terracotta Army: Discovered in the tomb complex of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, the Terracotta Army is a collection of thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, horses, and chariots. The sculptures were created to protect the emperor in the afterlife.
The Colossi of Memnon: These two colossal stone statues in Egypt's Luxor depict Pharaoh Amenhotep III seated on his throne. Each statue stands over 60 feet tall and was carved from a single piece of stone.
The Parthenon Frieze: Part of the Parthenon temple in Athens, Greece, the Parthenon Frieze is a sculptural relief depicting a procession of figures. Carved in marble, it is renowned for its intricate detail and portrayal of Greek mythology.
Stonehenge: Although not specifically sculptures, the standing stones of Stonehenge in England represent an incredible feat of ancient engineering. These massive stones were carved and arranged in a circular formation, likely for astronomical and ceremonial purposes.
Stonehenge: Although not specifically sculptures, the standing stones of Stonehenge in England represent an incredible feat of ancient engineering. These massive stones were carved and arranged in a circular formation, likely for astronomical and ceremonial purposes.
The Leshan Giant Buddha: Carved into a cliffside in Sichuan, China, the Leshan Giant Buddha is the largest stone Buddha statue in the world. It stands approximately 233 feet tall and was created during the Tang Dynasty.
The Temple of Abu Simbel: Located in southern Egypt, the Temple of Abu Simbel features four colossal statues of Pharaoh Ramesses II seated on thrones. These massive statues were hewn directly from the mountainside.
The Winged Victory of Samothrace: Housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, the Winged Victory of Samothrace is a Hellenistic marble sculpture representing the Greek goddess Nike. It is renowned for its dynamic pose and dramatic depiction of movement.