Dimpled smiling sphinx excavated in Egypt

March 6 () –

Egyptian archaeologists have discovered a limestone sphinx whose face appears smiling and presents two dimples, and that represents the Roman emperor Claudius.

The statue was unearthed from an ancient red brick cistern covered with slate, which may date to Byzantine times, and which is part of an ancient temple complex of the god Horus, which was erected in the roman eraeast of the Dandram temple, in the province of Qena.

Dr. Mamdouh Damati, former minister of archeology and professor of archeology at Ain Shams University, called the statue “magnificent” as its face presents meticulously rendered real features and a slight smile on her lips, which have two dimples at the ends.

In addition, there are traces of yellow and red colors on his face, and a painting from Roman times in hieroglyphics and demotic was found under the statue, reported the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt.