Sphinx with the head of an Egyptian goddess Hapor from Yerkapı Gate at Hatussa 13th century BC.

The limestone sphinx dated to the 13th century BC was found in Yerkapı (literally ‘ground gate’), on the upper city walls of Boğazköy, capital of the Hittite Empire. An identical sphinx is in the Berlin Museum. It is one of the four sphinxes located at the entrance and exit for purposes of protection. It was completed by assembling many pieces. As this lion-bodied and human-headed sphinx wears the head-dress of Hathor, one of the goddesses of Egypt, it reflects the heavy Egyptian influence in the art of Hittites. Probably, there had been gemstones in the currently hollow and empty eyes of the statue, which is one of the outstanding examples of the Hittite sculpture.

Egyptian deities appearing in a Hittite context can be explained by the readiness of Hittite religion to assimilate all foreign gods for any beneficial effect, and the friendly relations with Egypt in the mid 14th century. After the death of Tutankhamun (1323 BC) Ankhesenamun (Tutankhamun's wife) even wrote to the Hittite king Suppiluliuma I, asking if she could marry one of his sons, because the Thutmosid family line had come to an end and she would not take one of her own people as new husband.

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Sources: Website of ‘Istanbul Archeological Museums’ & ‘The Hittites’ (J.G.Macqueen) 1996 .