Sphinx Uncovered in Egyptian Temple

The discovery was made in the southern city of Aswan
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Sep 16, 2018 5:00 PM CDT
Archaeologists Uncover Ancient Sphinx Statue in Egypt Temple
The latest discovery of a statue with a lion's body and a human head, in the Temple of Kom Ombo in Aswan, Egypt.   (Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities via AP)

Egypt says archaeologists have discovered a statue of a lion's body and a human head in the southern city of Aswan. Per the AP, the Antiquities Ministry says the sphinx made of sandstone was found in the Temple of Kom Ombo during work to protect the site from groundwater. Mostafa Waziri, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, says the statue probably dates back to the Ptolemaic time. The Ptolemaic Dynasty ruled Egypt for some 300 years—from around 320BC to about 30BC. Egypt hopes such discoveries will spur tourism, partially driven by antiquities sightseeing, which was hit hard by political turmoil following the 2011 uprising. (Another recent discovery in Egypt predates this one's origins by thousands of years.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X