Egypt revealed an 'Avenue of the Sphinxes' that was buried in sand for thousands of years

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Egypt revealed an 'Avenue of the Sphinxes' that was buried in sand for thousands of years
A view from opening ceremony of the Avenue of Sphinxes to the public after decades of excavation efforts in Luxor, Egypt, on November 25, 2021.Photo by Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
  • Egypt on Thursday revealed an ancient road that was buried in sand for thousands of years.
  • The "Avenue of the Sphinxes" connects two temples in the city of Luxor.
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Egypt on Thursday revealed an ancient road that was buried in sand for thousands of years.

Dubbed the "Avenue of the Sphinxes," the 3,000-year-old promenade connects the Luxor and Karnak temples and is lined with statues of rams and sphinxes, the Associated Press reported.

The site in southern Egypt has been excavated for the last 50 years, the report said, and stretches for a few miles near the bank of the Nile River.

A lavish unveiling celebration on Thursday evening was equipped with fireworks, dancing, and music. A video from the country's Ministry of Tourism showed a parade with multiple choreographed dances as attendees watched.

Egypt revealed an 'Avenue of the Sphinxes' that was buried in sand for thousands of years
Visitors walk past the statues of the Ancient Egyptian New Kingdom Pharaoh Ramses II (1303-1213 BC) at night at the Temple of Luxor on November 25, 2021 in Luxor, Egypt.Photo by Islam Safwat/Getty Images

President Abdel Fatah el-Sissi was in attendence, the AP said.

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It's the second time this year that Egyptian authorities have organized a grand celebration to honor its ancient history.

In April, 22 mummies were paraded through the streets of Cairo in a motorcade that featured music, costumes, and lights, CBS News reported at the time.

The festivities are Egypt's latest attempt to revive its tourism sector, which has been hit by a decade of political instability and now the COVID-19 pandemic, the AP said.

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