Egypt archaeology: Dig unearths smiling mini-sphinx which may represent Claudius
Archaeologists have unearthed a sphinx-like statue and the remains of a shrine in an ancient temple in southern Egypt, the antiquities ministry says. The artefacts were found near the Hathor Temple, one of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient sites. The limestone sphinx with its “smiley face and two dimples” is thought to represent Roman Emperor Claudius. It is much smaller than the famous Sphinx in the Pyramids of Giza, which is 20m (66ft) high. The artefacts were found inside a two-level tomb in the temple of Dendera in Qena Province, 450km (280 miles) south of the capital of Cairo.
"Smiley face" mini-sphinx unearthed in Egypt dig t.co/NX1zbOmoSp
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) March 7, 2023
h/t John Dutton