Archaeologists in Egypt unearth Sphinx-like Roman-era statue

Archaeologists have unearthed a Sphinx-like statue and the remains of a shrine in an ancient temple in southern Egypt.

The artefacts were found in the temple of Dendera in Qena Province, 280 miles south of the capital of Cairo, Egypt’s antiquities ministry revealed.

Archaeologists believe the statue’s smiling features may belong to the Roman emperor Claudius, who extended Rome’s rule into North Africa between 41 and 54 AD, the ministry said.

Dig site
The dig site in Qena, Egypt (Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities via AP)

The smaller statue is reminiscent of the towering, well-known Sphinx in the Pyramids of Giza complex, which is 66ft high.

The archaeologists also found a Roman-era stone slab with demotic and hieroglyphic inscriptions.

Egypt Archaeological Discovery
A tablet dating to Ancient Roman times, written in Hieroglyphics and Demotic, was uncovered at the site (Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities via AP)

Such discoveries are usually touted by the Egyptian government in hopes of attracting more tourists, a significant source of foreign currency for the North African country.

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