tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22261571.post1656067044533320467..comments2024-03-20T01:06:12.181-04:00Comments on MEI Editor's Blog: "Archaeologists Outraged" Over Statue That's Been There 138 YearsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22261571.post-6057254713467251782013-05-11T04:55:21.110-04:002013-05-11T04:55:21.110-04:00Whether it is a form of constructed outrage or not...Whether it is a form of constructed outrage or not, the dispute starts off on the wrong basis. Bartholdi was always very respectful towards other cultures, loved old Egypt particularly.<br />When he created his Champollion, this French egyptologist was considered the man who had solved the enigma of the sphynx. The Boetian sphynx from the Oedipus myth was often considered and treated as similar to the Egyptian sphynx. The riddle of the hieroglyphs had in the 19th century for long been labeled as 'the enigma of the sphynx'. Hence Champollion was seen as a modern Oedipus, and allegorically placed as the man who by his genius had defeated the sphynx. Therefore, the sphynx head was placed under his foot, while at the same time his expression is one of deep thought. No humiliated pharaoh or inferiorised Egyptian culture ever had anytrhing to do with Bartholdi's idea on this statue, much to the contrary. In fact, it is a monument for human genius or intelligence personalized by multi-linguistic Champollion who gave us the possibility to understand and pay respect to the old Egyptians.<br />It would be a disgrace if the statue would be removed from its spot of honour, where students are allowed to see what one of their own achieved with hard study and much intelligence.JPBirdmannoreply@blogger.com