A combination of sewage, salt, air pollution, sun, sand and wind may destroy the huge statue on the outskirts of Cairo. This statue of the sun god has the body of a lion and the face of a human being. It is five thousand years old, but it is too badly damaged to be completely saved.
The statue has already been dug out of the sad three times. However, the latest problems are much more serious. First, there are no proper drains and water pipes in the neighborhood and the underground passages round the statue have become blocked. Too much water has been running into the stone statue for several years. As a result, tiny pieces of salt have been left on the stone and have damaged it.
Secondly, air pollution from the increasing amount of traffic in Cairo is also destroying the ancient statue. The air is so full of poisonous gases that it is making the stone crumble and decay even faster.
Thirdly, the statue is being damaged by extremes of temperature. For example, although the air is very cold at night, during the day the stone of the statue becomes very hot under the strong sun. Other natural forces such as serve sandstorms also attack the statue.
Finally, the tourists who visit the statue everyday also cause a lot of damage.