Ramses II statue discovery in Nile Delta

Archaeologists in the village of Behbeit el-Hagar, located in Egypt’s Gharbia province, have uncovered significant remains of colossal statues attributed to Pharaoh Ramses II. The discovery was made by a local resident, Khaled Khalil, who encountered inscribed stone blocks while working in a greenhouse.

The findings include a 1.6-meter head depicting the pharaoh wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt, which may have belonged to a statue standing approximately 8.5 meters tall. Other recovered items include a 2.4-meter statue fragment depicting the ruler in a nemes headdress, a pillar section bearing inscriptions, and a 1.3-meter pink granite block featuring hieroglyphics identifying 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 the site, which is situated near the ruins of an ancient temple dedicated to the goddess Isis. Minister Sherif Fathy visited the region to honor Khalil for his role in the discovery. Local officials, including the Governor of Gharbia, have also celebrated the find, noting its historical significance regarding the 19th Dynasty ruler.