Friends and colleagues: The ancient cultures of India, representing longstanding traditions directly connected to Indian culture today, are deep and rich and deserving of substantial worldwide attention.  An example of this linkage between ancient and modern times on the Subcontinent is provided by Sphinx of India, the latest video feature on our nonprofit streaming-media Web site, The Archaeology Channel (http://www.archaeologychannel.org).

With a lion’s body and a human head, the sphinx is a well known symbol of ancient art and myth.  For the ancients, it was an elevated spiritual being, embodying secret knowledge and wisdom, that guarded sacred places.  The most famous example is the Great Sphinx of Egypt, guarding the pyramids.  Though it usually is connected with the ancient civilizations of Greece and Egypt, many depictions are found also around the Mediterranean and in the Middle East.  But as seen in this video, the sphinx (or purushamriga) is also part of Indian art and tradition.

This and other programs are available on TAC for your use and enjoyment.  We urge you to support this public service by participating in our Membership (http://www.archaeologychannel.org/member.html) and Underwriting (http://www.archaeologychannel.org/sponsor.shtml) programs.  Only with your help can we continue and enhance our nonprofit public-education and visitor-supported programming.  We also welcome new content partners as we reach out to the world community.

Please forward this message to others who may be interested.

Richard M. Pettigrew, Ph.D., RPA
President and Executive Director
Archaeological Legacy Institute
http://www.archaeologychannel.org


_________________________________________________________________