A collaborative effort between Egyptian and American archaeologists has resulted in the remarkable discovery of the upper section of a colossal statue of Ramses II, also known as Ramesses the Great, in the Minya Governorate of Egypt.

Ramesses II, who ruled during the 19th Dynasty of the New Kingdom period, is renowned for his military conquests, architectural achievements, and diplomatic prowess. His reign, spanning approximately 66 years from 1279 to 1213 BCE, is often hailed as a golden era in Egyptian history.

Credit: The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

The unearthed limestone block, standing at an impressive height of 3.8 meters, portrays a seated Ramses adorned with a distinctive double crown and a headdress adorned with a royal cobra. Hieroglyphic inscriptions adorning the upper part of the statue’s back column glorify the king and his achievements.

The city where the excavation took place, Hermopolis Magna, holds historical significance as a regional capital during ancient times. Known as Khemnu in ancient Egypt and later as Hermopolis by the Greeks, it served as a center of religious worship and administrative activity.

According to Dr. Mustafa Waziri, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, the newly discovered upper portion of the statue complements the lower section unearthed by German archaeologist G. Roeder in the 1930s.

Furthermore, the archaeological mission led by Dr. Basem Jihad of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities and Dr. Yovona Trnka of the University of Colorado has initiated the process of cleaning and preparing the block for further study.

Dr. Yufona Tranka, a key member of the archaeological mission, highlighted another significant aspect of the excavation. The restoration of granite columns adjacent to the Basilica of Ashmonine, a 6th-century church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, underscores the layered history of the region, where ancient Egyptian monuments coexist with structures from later periods.

As restoration and research endeavors persist, scholars eagerly anticipate the unveiling of the complete statue, which will stand at a towering height of seven meters when amalgamated with its lower section.