The Great Sphinx of Giza is a limestone statue of a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human.

It stands on the Giza Plateau on the west bank of the Nile and is said to have been built to protect the pharaoh Khufu, who many believe was buried in the pyramid behind. Archaeologists now believe the colossal sculpture could also be sitting on a huge secret.

Historian Bettany Hughes revealed during her new Channel 5 show “Egypt’s Greatest Treasures” how two chambers found underneath the statue could lead to Khufu’s unearthed treasure.

She told viewers last week: “Generations of ancient Egyptians came to respect and fear this otherworldly creature, really believing that it had supernatural powers.

The Sphinx holds a secret chamber (Image: CHANNEL 5)

The Great Sphinx of Egypt sits near the Great Pyramid (Image: GETTY)

“Usually hidden from view, a deep hole near the Sphinx’ tail is thought to be connected with a large chamber beyond.”

Dr Hughes admitted it is too early to say where the tunnels finish, but admitted it could be linked with Khufu.

Bettany Hughes released her new Channel 5 show (Image: CHANNEL 5)

She explored a small hole on the Sphinx (Image: CHANNEL 5)

“The Sphinx is a monumental guard dog, watching over the Pharaoh’s tomb and now it the guardian of ancient Egypt’s secret.”

It is not the only incredible revelation to come during Dr Hughes’ new series, though.

She also uncovered the “discovery of a lifetime” inside the Great Pyramid.

The programme detailed how a team of archaeologists X-rayed the Great Pyramid, discovering a “sizeable void,” which could be a hidden room.

The hole could lead to a network of chambers (Image: CHANNEL 5)

The chambers could answer the secrets of the Great Pyramid (Image: GETTY)

Speaking to Express.co.uk, Dr Hughes said: “It’s incredibly exciting that a sizeable void within the Great Pyramid of Giza has been found.

“There still needs to be more investigation to explore and to work out exactly what this chamber is, why it was made, what it contains.

“But it’s not impossible that this could turn out to be another burial place, maybe even a central, hidden burial space within the pyramid.

“This is why history is so dynamic and exciting, there are always new possibilities waiting to be discovered and explored.”