Sphinx Statue Found in Egypt Possibly Representing Roman Emperor

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Archaeologists have unearthed a sphinx-like statue and remains of a sanctuary at an ancient temple in southern Egypt, antiquities experts say.

Artifacts were found in the Temple of Dendera in the province of Qena, 450 kilometers south of Cairo, the Ministry of Antiquities said in a statement.

Archaeologists believe the statue's smiling face may belong to the Roman Emperor Claudius, who extended Roman rule over North Africa between 41 and 54 years of our era, the ministry said.

Archaeologists will conduct additional research into the inscription on the stone base of the statue, which may provide more information about who was depicted as a sphinx and who was worshiped in the found sanctuary.< br />
The size of the find is much more modest the famous Great Sphinx in the Giza pyramid complex, which is 20 meters high.

Archaeologists have also found a stone slab from the Roman era with demotic and hieroglyphic inscriptions.

Such discoveries are usually advertised by the Egyptian government in hoping to attract more tourists, which is an important source of foreign exchange for the cash-strapped North African nation.

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