Small statue of Sphinx

Egypt: Small statue of Sphinx with 'smiling face' discovered in excavations of ancient synagogue.

Egypt's antiquities ministry says archaeologists have discovered a small statue of a smiling sphinx and the remains of a shrine while excavating an ancient synagogue in southern Egypt.

The artifacts were found near the Temple of Hathor, one of the best-preserved ancient sites in Egypt.

The appearance of the statue found resembles that of the Roman emperor Claudius and is a smiling face with dimples on his cheeks.

This famous pyramid is much smaller than the statue discovered in Egypt. which is 20 meters (66 feet) high.

The artefacts were found inside a two-story tomb at the shrine of Dendra in Qena province, 450 kilometers south of the capital Cairo.

Archaeologists believe that the statue's smiling features resemble those of Emperor Claudius. The Roman emperor Claudius strengthened Roman rule in North Africa between 41 and 54 AD.

Archaeologists will study the engravings on the stone, which may reveal more information about the statue's identity, the interior ministry said.

In addition to the 'beautifully and exquisitely carved' statue, archaeologists have also found a Roman-era stone slab with inscriptions in ancient Egyptian demotic and hieroglyphic styles.

Archaeologists have also found a Byzantine-era two-storied platform and a mud-brick basin in the limestone shrine.

According to some experts, these discoveries by the Egyptian government will attract more tourists and revive the tourism industry during the severe economic crisis in Egypt.