A Danish photographer sparked outrage in Egypt after posting a picture of himself appearing to have sex with a woman atop the Great Pyramid.

Andreas Hvid posted the explicit snap on his website and it was also featured in a video he posted on YouTube.

It shows him and the unidentified woman in a sexual position at the top of the famous landmark.

Now, authorities in Egypt are investigating after the case was referred to the prosecutor general by the minister for antiquities, state news agency Ahram Online reported.

Khaled el Anany said Hvid's actions were a violation of public morality and referred the case for investigation.

Andreas Hvid sparked outrage in Egypt after posting this picture of himself appearing to have sex with a woman atop the Great Pyramid

The video, which was apparently taken down, was reposted on Hvid's page on Sunday.

It shows Hvid and the woman climbing to the top of the 4,500-year-old pyramid and looking out over Cairo.

Another clip shows the woman removing her top.

In the video's description box, Hvid said he and the woman climbed the pyramid late last month.

'In late November 2018, a friend and I climbed the Great Pyramid of Giza (a.k.a. Pyramid of Khufu, Pyramid of Cheops),' he wrote.

'Fearing to be spotted by the many guards, I did not film the several hours of sneaking around at the Giza Plateau, which lead up to the climb.'

Egypt, a mostly Muslim country, regards the pyramids of Giza as among its most important monuments. File photo

He also posted a link to his website, which shows the explicit picture.

But it quickly attracted a backlash from commenters, who branded it disrespectful.

One said: 'In my opinion, the nude stuff is very disrespectful and ignorant.'

Another added: 'Total disgrace. Total disrespect for local culture.'

'On behalf of historians and archaeologists everywhere, I hope you both end up in jail,' another added.

On his website, which also contains other examples of his 'nude art,' Hvid says he is 'forever in search of beautiful locations where you cannot be.'

Egypt, a mostly Muslim country, regards the pyramids of Giza as among its most important monuments.

Climbing them above a certain level is forbidden and the entire site is closed to the public after 5pm and patrolled by police officers.