Saturday 8 December 2012

Ptolemaic Sphinx Recovered in Lazio



The Italian Guardia di Finanza di Roma have recovered an Egyptian sphinx from an agricultural polytunnel in North Lazio [press release, Italian]. The raid followed the search of a commercial vehicle that hinted at recent exploration of archaeological sites. The suggestion is that the alleged illicit acitvity was taking place at Monterosi near Lake Bracciano.

Source: Guardia di Finanza
It is not clear how or where the Ptolemaic sphinx was displayed. When did it arrive in Italy? In the wake of the annexation of Egypt by Rome in the 1st century BC? Or was it the result of a recent movement? Did it come from an ancient domestic or funerary context? Clearly there are intellectual consequences for the loss of context for this find.

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