66 Diorite Statues Of Lion-Headed Goddess Sekhmet Discovered In Luxor, Egypt

AncientPages.com - A team of German archaeologists has discovered parts from 66 statues of the lion-headed Pharaonic goddess Sekhmet.

The archaeologists unearthed the statues during excavations in the area between the courtyard and the hall of columns in the temple.

As the lion-headed goddess, the fearsome Sekhmet was destructive and dangerous in nature, which perfectly conforms to her name, which means “powerful” or “the female powerful one”.

As the lion-headed goddess, the fearsome Sekhmet was destructive and dangerous in nature, which perfectly conforms to her name, which means “powerful” or “the female powerful one”.

Their work is connected with a restoration project for the Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues of King Amenhotep III and his funerary temple located on the western bank of the Nile, reports Egypt Independent.

This is an area of Thebes, the ancient capital of the Pharaohs.

Remains of Sekhmet's statue. Image: Egypt's Antiquities Ministry

Remains of Sekhmet's statue. Image: Egypt's Antiquities Ministry

Some of the discovered statues represent goddess Sekhmet in a seated position, others depict her while standing and holding in her hand the symbol of life and a scepter of the papyrus flower, informed Professor Horig Suruzaan head of this mission.

See also:

Remarkable Sekhmet: Lioness Goddess With Many Names And Complex Personality

Two Statues Of Goddess Sekhmet Discovered By German Archaeologists In The Ruined City Of Luxor

Remains of Sekhmet's statue. Image: Egypt's Antiquities Ministry

Remains of Sekhmet's statue. Image: Egypt's Antiquities Ministry

Made of diorite rock, the discovered statues are well-preserved and in good condition. The two large statues, representing Pharaoh Amenhotep III, are the only pieces , which survived after the temple collapsed in an earthquake in the 8th century BC.

Luxor Temple of Amenhotep III. source: Wikipedia.

Luxor Temple of Amenhotep III. source: Wikipedia.

Sekhmet, who is depicted as a lioness, was a warrior goddess and the goddess of healing, known to ancient Egyptians as the "powerful goddess".

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