Egyptian archaeologists found a statue that resembles a sphinx

Egyptian archaeologists have discovered a sphinx-like statue and the remains of a shrine in an ancient temple in southern Egypt.

The artifacts were found at the Dender temple in Qena province, 450 kilometers south of the capital Cairo, the Ministry of Antiquities said in a statement. Archaeologists believe the statue's smiling features may belong to the Roman emperor Claudius, who extended Roman rule to North Africa between 41 and 54 A.D.

More research will be done on the marks on the stone slab, which may reveal more information about the statue's identity and location.

The statue is much smaller than the imposing and well-known Sphinx from the pyramid complex at Giza, which is 20 meters high.

Archaeologists also discovered a stone slab from the Roman period with demotic inscriptions and hieroglyphs. The limestone sanctuary includes a two-level platform and an earthen masonry of Byzantine times.

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