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Farmer Unearths 5-Foot Head of Ramses the Great
15 Oct
Summary
- A farmer discovered a massive statue head of Ramses II while tilling land.
- The unearthed statue head of Ramses II measured over five feet tall.
- Additional granite blocks and a smaller statue were also found at the site.
In Behbeit El Hagar, Egypt, a farmer's diligent work led to a significant archaeological find. While tilling the soil near his home in Gharbia province, he uncovered a royal statue head belonging to Ramses II, the powerful pharaoh of Egypt's New Kingdom. Officials from the Supreme Council of Antiquities were promptly notified, initiating an excavation that brought more ancient wonders to light.
The excavation yielded an impressive discovery: a statue head of Ramses II, measuring over five feet tall and depicted wearing the double crown. Archaeologists estimate the complete statue, including its base, would have stood over 27 feet. The team also recovered a fragment of the statue's back pillar, bearing an inscription with one of the pharaoh's royal names. Furthermore, a smaller royal statue, just under eight feet tall, and a four-foot-high pink granite block with hieroglyphic inscriptions proclaiming Ramses II as "King of Upper and Lower Egypt" and "Son of Ra" were unearthed.
Ramses II, a pivotal ruler from approximately 1303 BC, is renowned for his influence during Egypt's New Kingdom era. He is also famously associated with the biblical narrative of Moses, though not explicitly named in scripture. Sherif Fathy, Egypt's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, expressed hope that these findings will enhance understanding of the Nile Delta's historical significance as a vital center for politics, culture, and economy in antiquity. The homeowner's responsible action in reporting the find was commended, emphasizing the crucial role of citizens in safeguarding Egypt's rich heritage.
