Sphinx statue uncovered in Egypt

Archaeologists cleaning a newly-discovered fragment of a statue of ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses II, found at a private plot of land in the village of Mit Rahinah, near the historical site of Memphis and the Saqqara necropolis, south of the Egyptian capital Cairo. AFP

The Golden Coffin of Nedjemankh, on display at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo, following its repatriation from the US. AFP

An Egyptian archaeologist restores the coffin of King Tutankhamun at the conservation center in the Grand Egyptian Museum. For the first time since the tomb was discovered in 1922, the coffin was transported from King Tutankhamun's tomb at the Valley of the Kings in Luxor to the Grand Egyptian Museum for an eight-month restoration process, before being displayed among his treasured collection at the museum. Tutankhamun is the formal name of the mummified pharaoh most tourists visiting Egypt's Valley of the Kings know as King Tut. AFP

Egyptian archeologist open a wooden coffin belonging to a man in front Hatshepsut Temple at Valley of the Kings in Luxor. AFP

Two mummies, of a woman and child, are on display at the newly discovered burial site, the Tomb of Tutu, at al-Dayabat, Sohag, Egypt. REUTERS

An Egyptian archaeologist check the mummy during restoration work on the coffin of King Tutankhamun at the conservation center in the Grand Egyptian Museum. AFP

An Egyptian archaeologist works inside one of the largest newly discovered pharaonic tombs "Shedsu Djehuty" in Luxor, Egypt. REUTERS

Excavators sit behind painted ancient coffins at Al-Asasif necropolis, unveiled by Egyptian antiquities officials in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt. REUTERS

Statues are displayed outside a newly discovered pharaonic tomb "Shedsu Djehuty" in Luxor, Egypt. REUTERS

Tourists look at painted ancient coffins at Al-Asasif necropolis, unveiled by Egyptian antiquities officials in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt. REUTERS

A Egyptian archaeologist examines mummies inside a tomb during the presentation of a new discovery at Tuna el-Gebel archaeological site in Minya Governorate, Egypt. REUTERS

Preserved wall paintings inside the newly discovered burial site, Tomb of Tutu, at al-Dayabat, Sohag, Egypt. REUTERS

Pharaonic masks are displayed after they were excavated in Saqqara, south of Cairo, Egypt. EPA

The mummy of a feline is displayed after the announcement of a new discovery carried out by an Egyptian archaeological team in Giza's Saqqara necropolis, south of the capital Cairo. AFP

The statue of a scarab is displayed after the announcement of a new discovery carried out by an Egyptian archaeological team in Giza's Saqqara necropolis, south of the capital Cairo. AFP

A wooden statue of the goddess Neith is displayed after the announcement of a new discovery carried out by an Egyptian archaeological team in Giza's Saqqara necropolis, south of the capital Cairo. AFP

A statue is displayed after the announcement of a new discovery carried out by an Egyptian archaeological team in Giza's Saqqara necropolis, south of the capital Cairo. AFP

Journalists gather around the ancient Egyptian mummy of Sennedjem, an official who lived during the reigns of Pharaohs Seti I and Ramesses II in the 19th dynasty (13th-12th century BC), after being removed from its coffin for fumigation at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in the capital Cairo's Old Cairo district. AFP

Statues are displayed after they were excavated in Saqqara, south of Cairo, Egypt. EPA

Archaeologists in Egypt’s central Minya governorate have uncovered a small statue of a royal sphinx.

The Egyptian Archaeological Mission, led by Sayed Abdel Malek, found the statue in the Tuna El Jebel archaeological area, where two cemeteries holding 40 mummies were uncovered early last year.

Gamal Al Samastawy, director general of the antiquities for middle Egypt, said the limestone sphinx head is 35cm tall and 55cm wide.

It is not the only find from the third mission to excavate the Tuna El Jebel area, 270km south of Cairo.

Archaeologists found ancient amulets and pottery, clay pots of various shapes and sizes, and an alabaster bottle.

Those working on the site said a survey and archaeological excavations would continue to find out why the statue was found there.

The site has been the subject of excavations and discoveries for more than 100 years.

The first mission, led by the Institut Francais d'Archeologie Orientale, took place in 1902.

The discovery comes as preparations for the opening of Egypt’s newest historical project are coming to a close.

The Grand Egyptian Museum, a vast building overlooking the Giza Pyramids, is due to open next year, five years later than originally planned.

The museum will bring together Tutankhamun’s entire collection of items for the first time since the tomb was discovered in 1922, including textiles, jewellery and shoes, as well as other items from Egypt's rich ancient history.

Egypt’s archaeological wonders continue to fuel the country’s tourism industry. More than 11 million tourists visited Egypt in 2018.