At the heart of the Nile Delta, a monumental statue attributed to Ramses II has resurfaced. A major new discovery shedding light on the history of ancient Egypt.
Archaeological excavations in Egypt continue to reveal treasures buried for millennia. This month, the discovery of an imposing statue attributed to Ramses II beneath the Nile Delta drew particular attention from a team of researchers on 22 April.
A stone giant brought back to light
It was at the site of Tell Pharaon, in north-eastern Egypt, that a mission led by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities—in collaboration with the Supreme Council of Antiquities—unearthed a colossal stone statue. Specialists now believe it represents Ramses II, the iconic figure of the 19th Dynasty.
Standing around 2.20 metres tall and weighing an estimated 5 to 6 tonnes, the sculpture has lost its base and legs. Despite this damage, several decorative elements point to symbols of royalty. And that’s not all: according to initial analyses, the piece was not carved on site. It is thought to have been transported from Pi-Ramesses (the former capital founded by the ruler) to Tell Pharaon, once known as Imet.
Archaeologists also suggest it may have been part of a much larger sculptural ensemble, possibly composed of three figures linking the king with protective deities.
A valuable discovery for researchers
Now transferred to the storage facilities of the San Al-Hagar archaeological village, the statue is set to undergo a restoration programme to stabilise its fragile structure. Researchers hope this will help clarify its original function and the circumstances surrounding its relocation.
In addition, an inscribed stele was discovered at the site. It features a version of the Decree of Canopus (a sacred religious text), issued during the reign of Ptolemy III in 238 BC.
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