New discoveries at Avenue of the Sphinxes in Luxor
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Photo: Supreme Council of Antiquities
Egyptian archaeologists carrying routine excavations at the so-called “Avenue of Sphinxes,” have unearthed the remains of a 5th century Egyptian Christian church and a “nilometer,” a structure used to measure the level of the Nile during floods.
Divided into five sections, the Avenue of Sphinxes is now yielding a number of archaeological remains.
On the second section of the path, the archaeologists found the ruins of a 1,600-year-old church. The stone remains revealed that the building was constructed with recycled limestone blocks.
At the avenue’s fourth section, the team also discovered remains of a cylindrical sandstone nilometer with New Kingdom (1569-1081 B.C.) clay vessels at its bottom.
The structure, 7 meters (23 feet) in diameter, was encircled by a spiral staircase descending into the Nile. The steps allowed for a quick reading of increase in water level, thus forecasting floods.
The archaeologists also unearthed a collection of foundation stones used to install the sphinx’ statues. Some of the stones were decorated with scenes depicting King Amenhotep III, who began construction on the avenue.
The fragmented sphinxes are now under restoration. Soon they will be placed on display along a section of the avenue.
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