Ramses II statue unearthed after man finds stone in Egypt
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A man working on his property in Behebat al-Hijara, Egypt, uncovered a stone that led to the discovery of a massive statue believed to have once stood 8.5 meters tall.
The resident alerted local archaeological authorities when he found the inscribed stone, prompting an excavation by the Supreme Council of Antiquities. Archaeologists determined the stone was an ancient artifact and expanded the dig, revealing remains of two royal statues and a pink granite block bearing hieroglyphic inscriptions.
One statue was identified as Ramses II, a pharaoh who ruled Egypt over 3,000 years ago and is often depicted in films about the Exodus. Researchers also found a section of the statue’s back pillar, which included one of the pharaoh’s royal names.
The team also located a granite block with two of Ramses II’s titles, including “King of Upper and Lower Egypt” and “Son of Ra.” The site in the Nile Delta is already known for the ruins of a large temple dedicated to the goddess Isis. Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, praised the resident for reporting the find and highlighted the role citizens play in preserving Egypt’s cultural heritage.
