Ancient sphinx discovered in Egypt

Archaeologists have discovered a statue of a lion’s body and a human head in the city of Aswan. The sandstone sphinx was found in the Temple of Kom Ombo during work to protect the site from groundwater. The statue likely dates to the Ptolemaic Dynasty — from around 320BC to about 30BC.

The statue was found near two sandstone reliefs of King Ptolemy V. Sphinx statues typically depict a king and are often found guarding the entrances to temples.

Egypt hopes such discoveries, and the opening of the Grand Egyption Museum, will spur tourism, which was hit hard by political turmoil following the 2011 uprising.