Amenhotep III is thought to be the builder of the Luxor Temple. It has corroded over the centuries, but remains very impressive. The Alabaster Sphinx spent many years lying on its side in water. This was responsible for the damage to the surface of the monument. The sphinx is sometimes referred to as the Calcite Sphinx.
Calcite is an opaque white stone that is often times called alabaster.
The Alabaster was quarried at a place east of 'Amarna called Hatnub. Calcite was also believed to have, in a mythical sense, solar connections. It was not often used as a building material. The type of figure known as a sphinx is created with the body of a lion and the head of royalty. The lion is in a crouching position with its paws outstretched.