Egypt: discovered smiling Sphinx, possibly representing roman emperor Claudius
Egypt is one of the most incredible and fruitful places when it comes to archaeological discoveries. Recently, in fact, the Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the discovery of a sphinx and stone slab from the Roman era in the temple of Hathor, about 500 kilometers south of Cairo.
Workers are currently working to decipher the inscription, while the ministry described the relic as having "a smiling face and two dimples".
Next to the "beautifully and carefully carved" sphinx, the researchers found "a Roman stele written in demotic and hieroglyphic characters." Once fully deciphered, the stele could shed light on the identity of the carved ruler, who according to the Egyptian research team could be Emperor Claudius. An incredible tribute, then, in Egyptian style, to a Roman emperor, depicted in the majesty and veil of mystery of a sphinx: all this comes to light centuries and centuries later, and of course we are dealing with an artifact that has incalculable value.
The mythological creature, for both Egyptians and Greeks, was regarded as a guardian and was often placed at the entrances to temples, palaces or other important buildings.
Best known for overseeing the Roman conquest of Britain, Emperor Claudius masterminded the expansion of the Roman Empire into North Africa and the Middle East, so it is not impossible to find a statue commemorating the man in Egypt.
The country of the pharaohs is always at the center of such incredible discoveries! After the discovery of a hidden passage inside the Great Pyramid of Giza a few days ago, now this very ancient sphinx has been unearthed.
