Fragment of sphinx of Egyptian pharoah found in Israel

JERUSALEM, July 11 (UPI) -- Pieces of a statue inscribed with the name of a king who ruled Egypt more than 4,000 years ago have been found in Israel, archaeologists say.

A team from the Institute of Archaeology at the Hebrew University found the toes and lower feet of an Egyptian sphinx linked to the pharaoh Mycerinus -- known for having one of the pyramids at Ghiza built -- at Tel Hazor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site just north of the Sea of Galilee, The Jerusalem Post reported Wednesday.

The statue fragment was discovered in a layer of Tel Hazor was destroyed during the 13th century B.C., archaeologists said.

It is the only known sphinx of Mycerinus discovered anywhere in the world -- including Egypt -- and the only piece of a royal sphinx sculpture discovered in the eastern Mediterranean, they said.

The sphinx was likely brought to Israel about 4,000 ago, rather than being constructed at the site of its discovery, as Egypt was not thought to have a relationship with Israel during Mycerinus' reign.