Massive Statue of Ramses II Unearthed in Egypt

An Egyptian farmer inadvertently discovered remnants of a massive royal statue of Ramses II while working the land in Behbeit El Hagar, Gharbia province. The find prompted an excavation by the Supreme Council of Antiquities, revealing a collection of artifacts.

Archaeologists unearthed a head of Ramses II, measuring over five feet tall, which was part of a statue estimated to be approximately 27 feet in height. A second, smaller royal statue, just under eight feet tall, was also found. Both statues are believed to depict Ramses II, identifiable by facial features and regalia consistent with other known representations of the pharaoh.

Additionally, a four-foot-high block of pink granite inscribed with hieroglyphs identifying the pharaoh as “Nesu Beti” (King of Upper and Lower Egypt) and “Sa Ra” (Son of Ra) was recovered. These inscriptions provide further confirmation of the statue's subject.

Ramses II, who reigned from 1303 BC, is considered one of the most significant rulers of Egypt's New Kingdom era. He is also widely associated with the biblical Book of Exodus, where a pharaoh enslaved the Israelites and defied Moses, although he is not explicitly named in the scripture.

Officials from Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities expressed hope that the discoveries will enhance understanding of the Nile Delta region's historical importance as a political, cultural, and economic hub. Further study is expected to shed light on the statues and the architectural context of the repository from that era.