Scientists decipher an inscription on an ancient sphinx, solving a 100-year-old mystery

The mystery of the inscription on the bronze sphinx statue, which was discovered in the early 19th century, was solved only 100 years later.

The bronze sphinx statue, dating from the third century, was discovered in Dacia, a Roman province that corresponds to modern-day Romania. However, after being discovered in the 19th century, the statue was stolen from a European count around 1848. Although the sphinx was never found, a detailed drawing of it has survived, reports Mediterranean Archeology and Archaeometry.

Dacia is the ancient name for Romania, which has witnessed the rule of various groups and empires throughout history. In antiquity, Dacia was part of the Dacian Kingdom and later became a province of the Roman Empire after being conquered by the Roman Emperor Trajan in 106 AD.

However, in the third century, invasions by the Goths and other tribes weakened Roman control, and around 270 AD, the Romans left Dacia. Subsequently, Dacia fell under the rule of various tribes and empires.

According to the study, the inscription on the sphinx has finally been deciphered. It is a short and unusual poem.

The translation reads: "Behold, behold, worship: behold the holy lion," which can be interpreted as an instruction to worship the sphinx.