Unusual smiling sphinx found in Egypt

In the ancient statue, we learned the expression of the face of the Roman emperor

An ancient sphinx-like statue and sanctuary have been discovered by archaeologists in southern Egypt. Scientists believe that the work found in the temple of Dendera, its creators could be inspired by the Roman emperor Claudius.

Archaeologists have unearthed a sphinx-like statue and the remains of a sanctuary at an ancient temple in southern Egypt, reports the Associated Press. Presumably, the find belongs to the Roman period.

The artifacts were found by the Ain Shams University archaeological mission at the Dendera temple in Qena province, 450 kilometers south of Cairo, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities.

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

Archaeologists have also found a stone slab from the Roman era with demotic and hieroglyphic inscriptions. According to the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities, the limestone sanctuary includes a two-layered platform and a Byzantine-era adobe basin.

The ministry said in a statement that scientists will conduct further research into the markings on the stone slab, which could reveal more information about the statue’s origins.

The found statue is much smaller than the famous towering sphinx in the pyramid complex of Giza, which is 20 meters high.

Such openings are usually advertised by the Egyptian government in hopes of attracting more tourists, a significant source of foreign exchange for the cash-strapped country.

The Dendera Temple is a large ceremonial complex covering an area of ​​9.8 acres. The center of the complex is the Temple of Hathor, a sanctuary that was modified on the same site from the time of the Middle Kingdom to the time of the Roman emperor Trajan.

Recent excavations by Dr. Mamdouh El-Damati, former Minister of Antiquities and Professor of Archeology at Cairo’s Ain Shams University, have revealed a Roman structure in the area to the east of the main complex, where the temple dedicated to Horus is located.

The structure was built using limestone and mortar and consists of two levels. On the lower level is a large Byzantine-era water collection basin, where researchers discovered a statue of a Roman-era sphinx.

The Sphinx is depicted in the royal headdress worn by the pharaohs, symbolizing their rule. Above the forehead is the Uraeus, the Egyptian cobra, used as a symbol of sovereignty, royalty, deity, and divine authority.

“A preliminary examination of the face of the sphinx suggests that the sphinx is a depiction of the Roman emperor Claudius,” the antiquities ministry said in a statement. Claudius ruled Egypt from about 10 BC. to 54 AD, which at that time was under the rule of Rome. As the “Pharaoh” of Egypt, Claudius adopted the pompous title of “Tiberius Claudius, emperor and ruler of rulers, beloved of Isis and Ptah, strong bull of the stable moon on the horizon.”

“The statue is really beautiful, its face is characterized by royal features, which are depicted quite accurately,” said Dr. Mamdouh El-Damati. – Traces of a smile are visible along the edges of his mouth, which has dimples on both sides. There were traces of yellow and red on the face.”