An Egyptian farmer’s discovery of an inscribed stone outside his home led archaeologists to uncover two colossal statues believed to depict Ramses II, along with ancient hieroglyphic inscriptions that could reveal new details about the pharaoh’s presence in the Nile Delta.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

An Egyptian farmer working on land outside his home made an extraordinary archaeological discovery when he uncovered an inscribed stone that led researchers to the remains of two massive statues associated with Pharaoh Ramses II, who ruled Egypt more than 3,000 years ago.

The discovery occurred in Behbeit el-Hagar, a village in Egypt’s Gharbia Governorate, approximately 60 miles north of Cairo. After finding a stone block covered with ancient inscriptions, the property owner contacted local antiquities authorities, prompting an investigation that revealed additional artifacts buried beneath the surrounding land.

According to Archaeology News, specialists from Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities confirmed the initial discovery and organized a rescue excavation that uncovered two colossal royal statue fragments and a block of pink granite bearing hieroglyphic inscriptions.

The most significant discovery was a massive stone head measuring approximately 5 feet, 3 inches tall, depicting Ramses II wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt.

Hisham El-Lithi, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the dimensions of the head suggest that the original statue, including its base, may have stood approximately 28 feet tall.

The head also preserves part of a supporting pillar inscribed with the pharaoh’s Horus name, an ancient royal title associated with Egyptian kingship.

Archaeologists uncovered a substantial portion of a second royal statue measuring approximately 7 feet, 10 inches. Although the sculpture is missing its legs and base, its surviving head retains recognizable facial features and a traditional royal headdress.

Researchers believe the second statue may also represent Ramses II, although further analysis is needed to confirm its identification.

A separate pink granite block, measuring approximately 4 feet, 3 inches, bears hieroglyphic inscriptions identifying Ramses II by two of his royal titles: “King of Upper and Lower Egypt” and “Son of Ra.”

The inscriptions provide important evidence connecting the discoveries to the pharaoh’s reign.

Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the findings following the excavation, describing them as an important addition to the country’s archaeological heritage.

Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy praised the local resident for promptly reporting the inscribed stone rather than attempting to remove or conceal it.

Fathy emphasized that cooperation between residents and archaeological authorities plays an essential role in preserving Egypt’s cultural heritage for future generations.

According to PEOPLE, the discovery could provide new insights into the religious and architectural history of the Nile Delta, particularly the ancient temple complex that once occupied the area.

Behbeit el-Hagar is known for the remains of a major temple dedicated to the goddess Isis. Archaeologists hope the newly discovered statues will help clarify the site’s earlier development and its connections to Egyptian royalty.

Ramses II, also known as Ramses the Great, ruled Egypt for approximately 66 years during the 19th Dynasty, from around 1279 to 1213 B.C.

He is remembered for his extensive construction projects, military campaigns and numerous monumental statues erected throughout Egypt.

His reign included the construction of the famous temples at Abu Simbel and major additions to religious complexes at Karnak and Luxor.

Ramses II is also frequently associated with the unnamed pharaoh described in the biblical Book of Exodus, who opposed Moses and the Israelites’ departure from Egypt.

However, the Bible does not identify that ruler by name, and historians continue to debate the historical chronology and archaeological evidence surrounding the Exodus narrative. No definitive evidence establishes Ramses II as the biblical pharaoh.

The discovery at Behbeit el-Hagar adds to the extensive archaeological record documenting the king’s influence across ancient Egypt.

Researchers are continuing excavations and archaeological studies to determine whether additional statue fragments or architectural remains are buried nearby.

They also hope to establish where the colossal sculptures originally stood and how they related to the ancient religious complex.

The findings demonstrate how discoveries made by ordinary residents can lead to significant archaeological investigations, revealing previously unknown evidence of Egypt’s ancient civilization thousands of years after its rulers built their monuments.

Original article
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