Remnants of Ancient Sphynx Found In Israel

Remnants of Ancient Sphynx Found In Israel — Nearly a year after discovering the base of a small sphynx buried in northern Israel, archaeologists have finally cleaned and unearthed the statue. It is the first of its kind to be found outside of Egypt, and is believed to be dedicated to Mycerinus, who ruled Egypt circa 2500 BC, and was the builder of the smallest of the Giza pyramids.

The base of the staue is engraved with hieroglyphics that read, “Beloved of the divine souls of Heliopolis,” as well as the dedication to Mycerinus. It is a puzzling find for archaologists who speculate whether the statue was looted from Egypt or given as a tribute gift somewhere far in the past. The dig site, at Tel Hazor in northern Israel, is the site of the ancient city, Hazor, and is one of Israel’s most significant and oldest digs. In 2005, the remains were designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.