Giant Statues of Pharaoh Linked to Moses Discovered in Egypt

Archaeologists in Egypt have unearthed the remains of two colossal statues believed to depict Ramses II, a pharaoh some scholars associate with the biblical figure Moses and the events of the Exodus. The discovery was announced by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

The find began when an Egyptian farmer, while working in his cucumber greenhouse in the village of Behbeit El-Hagar, discovered an ancient inscribed stone. He alerted local archaeological authorities, who conducted excavations at the site. During these excavations, the team uncovered the remains of the two large statues.

According to a translated statement from the ministry, one statue has been identified as King Ramses II, with the other also believed to represent the same pharaoh. The mission also found a pink granite block inscribed with hieroglyphs bearing several of the king's royal titles.

Ramses II, who reigned during Egypt's New Kingdom period and was born in 1303 B.C., is among the most powerful pharaohs in ancient Egyptian history. While the Old Testament does not name the pharaoh who confronted Moses, some scholars propose Ramses II as a possible candidate. In the biblical narrative, this pharaoh refused to release the Israelites, leading to a series of plagues before their eventual departure. Ramses II died in 1213 B.C.

One of the newly discovered statues includes a colossal head of Ramses II measuring over five feet tall. Inscriptions on its back pillar bear one of his royal names. Officials estimate that the original statue, including its base, may have reached approximately 28 feet in height. The second statue, also thought to be of Ramses II, measures nearly eight feet long and is missing its legs and base, though its head, with clearly visible and well-preserved facial features, was also found.

Archaeological work at the site is ongoing, with further investigations expected to enhance understanding of the statues, the history of the area, and its architectural development during ancient Egyptian times. This discovery follows other recent findings that shed light on the reign of Ramses II, including the unearthing of another massive statue believed to be of the pharaoh at a Nile Delta site earlier this year.