Archaeologists Unearth Colossal Pair of Sphinxes in Egypt During Restoration of Landmark Temple by Tessa Solomon
Have you seen the new discovery in Egypt? Granted there have been a lot of archeological finds in the desert next to the Nile, but check out the newest find. My inner child is SO happy!
Fragments of a colossal pair of limestone sphinxes were unearthed at the ancient Egyptian temple of Amenhotep III in western Luxor. A German-Egyptian team of researchers, led by archaeologist Hourig Sourouzian, discovered the artifacts half-submerged in water during their restoration of the funerary temple of the pharaoh and the Colossi of Memnon, two monumental statues in his likeness.
The sphinxes measure around 26 feet long and likely depict the ancient ruler outfitted wearing a mongoose-shaped headdress, a royal beard, and a broad necklace. A restoration of the limestone revealed “the beloved of Amun-Re” across the sphinx’s chest, according to Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities.
Also discovered at the site were three nearly intact statues of the goddess Sekhmet, the lion-like defender of the Sun god Ra, and the remains of a great pillared hall. Still legible on its sandstone walls are a series of images depicting the royal jubilee, or heb-sed, an ancient Egyptian festival which recognized—and renewed—the king’s right to rule.
Honestly, since I was a kid I have loved Egypt and everything it contained. The fact that so many new discoveries have been unearthed has made my heart SO happy!
Egypt is a bucket list item for me. I also realize that the more tourists come to visit the quicker some of the sites deteriorate. I get it, but a mama can dream, right? Yeah for archeology though, what a dream find for sure!
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