Egypt uncovers colossal statues of Ramses II in Nile Delta

Archaeologists in Egypt have discovered the remains of two massive statues attributed to Pharaoh Ramses II in the village of Behbeit el-Hagar, located in the Gharbia province of the Nile Delta. The discovery was prompted by a local resident, Khaled El-Shahat Khalil, who alerted authorities after finding an inscribed stone block on his property.

The first statue, which may have stood approximately 8.5 meters (27 feet) tall, includes a 1.6-meter head depicting the pharaoh wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt. An inscription on its back pillar identifies the ruler with the name “Hor Ka Nakht Mery Maat.”

A second statue fragment, measuring about 2.4 meters, was also recovered. It appears to depict Ramses II wearing the traditional nemes headdress. Additionally, teams identified a pink granite block featuring hieroglyphics that identify the pharaoh with titles such as “King of Upper and Lower Egypt” and “Son of Ra.”

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has deployed specialized teams to excavate and document the site, which is located near the ruins of an ancient temple dedicated to the goddess Isis.