An ancient statue reveals the expression of a Roman emperor
An ancient sphinx-like statue and sanctuary have been discovered by archaeologists in southern Egypt. Scientists believe that the work found in the temple of Dendera could have been inspired by the Roman emperor Claudius.
Photo: asu.edu.eg
Archaeologists have unearthed a sphinx-like statue and the remains of a sanctuary at an ancient temple in southern Egypt, reports the Associated Press. The find is believed to date back to the Roman period.
The artifacts were found by the archaeological mission of Ain Shams University at the Temple of Dendera in Qena province, 450 km south of Cairo, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities.
< p>Archaeological scholars believe the statue's smiling features may belong to the Roman emperor Claudius, who extended Roman rule to North Africa between AD 41 and 54, an Egyptian ministry said.
Archaeologists also found a stone slab from the Roman era with demotic and hieroglyphic inscriptions. The limestone sanctuary includes a two-layered platform and a Byzantine-era adobe basin, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities.
The ministry said in a statement that scientists will conduct further research into the markings on the stone slab, which could reveal more information about the statue's origins. .
The found statue is much smaller than the famous towering sphinx in the Giza pyramid complex, which is 20 meters high.
Such openings are usually promoted by the Egyptian government in hopes of attracting more tourists, which is a significant source of foreign exchange for the cash-strapped country.
The Temple of Dendera is a large ceremonial complex covering an area of 9.8 acres. The center of the complex is the Temple of Hathor, a sanctuary that has been modified on the same site from the Middle Kingdom to the time of the Roman Emperor Trajan.
Recent excavations by Dr. Mamdouh El-Damati, former Minister of Antiquities and Professor of Archeology at Cairo's Ain Shams University, have revealed a Roman structure in the area to the east of the main complex, where the temple dedicated to Horus is located.
The structure built using limestone and mortar and consists of two levels. On the lower level is a large Byzantine-period water collection basin, where researchers discovered a statue of a Roman-era sphinx.
The Sphinx is depicted in the royal headdress worn by the pharaohs, symbolizing their rule. Above the forehead is an image of Ouraeus, the Egyptian cobra, used as a symbol of sovereignty, royalty, deity and divine authority.
“A preview of the face of the sphinx suggests that the sphinx is an image of the Roman emperor Claudius”, the statement said ministry of antiquities. Claudius ruled Egypt from around 10 BC. to 54 AD, which at that time was under the rule of Rome. As “pharaoh” Claudius of Egypt assumed the pompous title “Tiberius Claudius, emperor and ruler of rulers, beloved of Isis and Ptah, strong bull of a stable moon on the horizon”.
“The statue is really beautiful, its face is characterized by royal features, which are depicted quite exactly,” said Dr. Mamdouh El-Damati. – Traces of a smile are visible along the edges of his mouth, which is dimpled on both sides. There were traces of yellow and red on the face”.